Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 18/02) - The federal government is stepping into a long-simmering boundary dispute between two North Slave First Nations.

Ottawa wants the Akaitcho Treaty 8 and the Dogrib Treaty 11 First Nations to settle on an overlap agreement that would include an integrated environmental management regime, said Mark Fitzpatrick, spokesperson for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

DIAND is also willing to provide a facilitator to help settle the dispute, said Fitzpatrick.

The two groups are involved in a decade-long dispute over land that stretches from Deh Cho territory to the Nunavut boundary.

The Akaitcho fear they will lose control of their land once the Dogrib settle their land claim, which could blanket Akaitcho communities Ndilo and Dettah as a Dogrib settlement area.

The Akaitcho want a boundary to protect their communities, the Dogrib want an overlap agreement.

A Feb. 8 letter from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to the Akaitcho Nation threw a wrinkle into negotiations between the Dogrib and the Akaitcho Nation.

"There are problems with the letter that creates problems with the way we have been dealing with the Dobrib," said Don Balsillie, Akaitcho Nation chief negotiator.

Balsillie said they need to meet with DIAND to clarify the intent of the letter before they can respond to it.

The Akaitcho Nation is on the verge of cutting off talks off with the Dogrib last week.

"What the elders are saying is it seems we aren't making the necessary progress," said Balsillie.

He said the Akaitcho are now looking at other options including elder-to-elder talks, a mediator and legal action as a last resort.

"Our mandate ended on (Feb. 15) and the chiefs are considering other options to resolve this boundary issue," said Balsillie.

Dogrib representatives could not be reached for comment.

Akaitcho communities include Ndilo, Dettah, Lutsel K'e and Deninu Koe.

Dogrib communities include Gameti, Wekweti, Wha Ti, Rae and Edzo.

Akaitcho chiefs are meeting in Lutsel K'e this week to decide their next step.