Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Hay River (Jan 29/01) - A delegation from the Deh Cho First Nation negotiating team updated Hay River town council last week land claim negotiations and invited the town to work with the First Nation on land use planning.
Chief negotiator for the DCFN, Chris Reid said the band said a clause in the interim measures agreement allows Hay River to work with federal lands within the town limits.
"There is a general condition clause that says no commissioner's lands will be sold or leased without the consent Deh Cho First Nation," Reid said.
"What we've accepted, is that general rule must be modified for the Town of Hay River."
"Tell us what areas you need or even better, we can work with you on development of your land use plan."
Reid said the DCFN would like the town to identify the areas they feel it needs for expansion over the next 10 years.
While the DCFN hopes to have the interim measures agreement completed next month, they don't expect to have a final agreement for seven years.
