Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Rae/Edzo (Jun 26/00) - The Dogrib Treaty 11 First Nation is accusing the GNWT of stalling self-government negotiations.

The tough talk comes after the resignation of the territorial government's chief negotiator, Pat Scott.

To express their disappointment in how negotiations were going, the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council purchased a full page ad in the June 23 Yellowknifer, questioning the GNWT's political will to reach an agreement.

"Cabinet members talk the talk, but don't walk the walk," the ad stated.

Chief Dogrib negotiator John B. Zoe said he was disappointed with the lack of weight the GNWT negotiators brought to the table.

"There has to be some authority given to (them)," he said.

"If direction is not given to them, it's a denial of our self-government."

Zoe said GNWT negotiators deferred to cabinet on most issues tabled at the talks.

"There's a bag of example issues with no direction on the part of GNWT," he said.

"If there is no chief negotiator, who do we talk to?"

Scott unofficially resigned on Tuesday. No reasons were given.

According to Pietro de Bastiani, executive assistant to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jim Antoine, Scott continued in his role until the end of negotiations Friday afternoon.

Scott could not be reached for comment.

"We support the inherent right for aboriginal self government," said de Bastiani, but added negotiators do defer some issues to cabinet depending on their impact.

"We have to take all ramifications of issues into account," said de Bastiani. "We are the government for everyone in the NWT. We have to keep their interests in mind."

Antoine refused direct comment on Dogrib complaints.

"We don't deal with matters in the media," said de Bastiani.

The GNWT has not announced who will be their new chief negotiator or how long it will take to name a new one.

Talks cannot continue until a new negotiator is appointed.

Richard Ashton, assistant negotiator with the federal government said his negotiating team wasn't ready to comment on the status of negotiations at this time.

Dogrib Grand Chief Joe Rabesca said GNWT's performance in Treaty 11 negotiations will have ramifications on other land claims.

"If this is the way they (GNWT) are going to treat us, how are they going to treat the Deh Cho and Yellowknives?" he said.

Originally it was thought a final agreement would be reached this summer.

The date was later moved to early in the new year.

"We're in shock," said Zoe. "We didn't see this coming."