Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Dettah (Jan 21/02) - The minister of Indian and Northern affairs could be rolling up his sleeves and wading into a long-simmering boundary dispute between two North Slave nations.

During a 30-minute meeting in Fort Simpson two weeks ago, Robert Nault told a small Akaitcho delegation he would consider stepping into boundary negotiations between them and the Dogrib in February, said Akaitcho Dettah Chief Richard Edjericon last Tuesday.

"Nault said he would meet with us and the Dogrib in February in an elder-to-elder meeting," said Edjericon.

Nancy Pine, press secretary for the minister, confirmed Nault raised the possibility of meeting with both parties.

"My understanding with regards to that issue is that the minister raised the possibility, but nothing is concrete," said Pine.

Dogrib and Akaitcho negotiators met in Edmonton on the weekend of Jan. 12.

Edjericon said the Akaitcho are still relying on negotiating a settlement but they're not taking any chances.

He said the Akaitcho have the paperwork ready to launch court action over the settlement should talks stall again.

During last November's Dene Nation assembly, the Akaitcho threatened court action accusing the Dogrib of stalling, but last-minute diplomacy prevailed.

John B. Zoe, Dogrib chief negotiator, said he didn't know about Nault's offer and didn't comment on it. Zoe said he saw progress during the weekend negotiating session in Edmonton.

He said the two sides are working out details.

"We've shrunk a lot of paper," said Zoe. "We're trying to flush out how to deal with overlap and the aboriginal rights to harvest and how that applies to other groups."

According to the Dogrib land claim agreement, large swaths of lands covering the Akaitcho communities of Dettah and Ndilo will fall under Dogrib management boards. The Akaitcho worry their rights will disappear once a final agreement falls in place.