First Nations want border disputes resolved
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Feb 09/01) - The Dogrib First Nation is drawing closer to a final land claims agreement but boundary issues could hamper the process.
The Dogrib have to find an agreeable line with the Deh Cho First Nations to the west and the Akaitcho First Nations to the east.
Jim Antoine, the GNWT's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, was in Vancouver last week for a meeting with Dogrib negotiators, DIAND Minister Robert Nault and Ethel Blondin-Andrew, MP for the Western Arctic.
Antoine said Dogrib chief negotiator John B. Zoe made a presentation on the boundary dispute, but nothing substantive came of it.
"His report was very general, saying how they were working with the two respective groups to try to resolve this," Antoine said.
Nault, Antoine noted, reminded the Dogrib that the matter must be settled prior to signing a final agreement.
"The Dogrib reassured Nault that they're going to do that," he said. "They're coming right down to the wire."
The Dogrib are aiming to finalize their claim by the end of March and formally sign it off at their summer leadership assembly.
A Dene Nation meeting later this month in Yellowknife will offer an opportunity to address the boundaries issue once again, Antoine added.
The Deh Cho and Dogribs have been trying to draw a mutually acceptable border for more than two years. Eddie Erasmus, senior lands negotiator for the Dogrib Treaty 11 council, said he's confident an agreement can be reached.
"I think it's just a matter of having a couple of meetings and we should have an agreement," he said.
Herb Norwegian, boundaries co-ordinator for the Deh Cho, said the DCFN has been awaiting word from their eastern neighbours.
"We've made some compromises and we've presented our position to them, but they haven't got back to us since last year."
Norwegian suggested that the DCFN is prepared to have a chief-to-chief meeting to attempt to conclude the matter. Otherwise, the Dogribs' final agreement will be held up by the conflict, he said.
"Their AIP (agreement in principle) when it was signed off, there's no Deh Cho boundary on that map, and for obvious reasons. They have to get back to us on that." he said.
