South Slave Metis may have interest in Deh Cho territory
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Dec 15/00) - The Deh Cho First Nations knew they had a boundary issue with the Dogribs, but now they may also have land issues with the South Slave Metis Tribal Council, who are negotiating their own land claim agreement.
Deh Cho chief negotiator Chris Reid says the GNWT wants a clause included in the Deh Cho Process interim measures agreement regarding lands selected within the Deh Cho by the South Slave Metis.
While the territorial government is recommending the DCFN be consulted about the land selections, Reid said the DCFN is insisting that affected First Nations would have to give their full support "before signing over land in the Deh Cho to the South Slave Metis.
"We have not agreed on that point ... We just said, 'That's a non-starter. There's no way the Deh Cho leadership is going to the South Slave Metis negotiating table with a blank cheque. We're not even at that table,'" Reid said.
The DCFN had requested to see maps indicating what parcels of land within the Deh Cho that the South Slave Metis is interested in as part of their land claim, but GNWT negotiators said there are no maps at present, said Reid.
He said a compromise proposed by the DCFN is to establish a process to resolve overlapping land issues with the South Slave Metis before either group signs a final agreement.
GNWT negotiator Bob Patterson could not be reached for comment.
South Slave Metis Tribal Council president Robert Tordiff and chief negotiator George Kurszewski were both travelling earlier this week and were also unavailable for comment.
