Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Hay River (May 03/01) - Deh Cho First Nations Grand Chief Michael Nadli has offered to mediate a dispute between the Hay River Reserve and a federal union.

"The chief and council (of the reserve) say their main concern is they feel having a union will interfere with their ability to promote local people in employment," DCFN chief negotiator Chris Reid explained.

"Mike (Nadli) has said he'd be happy to sit down with PSAC (Public Service Alliance of Canada) and the chief and council of the Hay River Reserve to see if that concern can be addressed."

The K'atlodehchee First Nation has filed a court challenge against the Canada Industrial Relations Board, contending that the reserve should be exempt from the Canada Labour Code.

A DCFN leadership tele-conference was held Tuesday to discuss the matter.

K'atlodehchee Chief Pat Martel didn't take part. Martel opting to go geese hunting instead, according to Nadli.

The reserve's sub-chief and two band councillors were on the line as participants, however.

A K'atlodehchee First Nations membership meeting is tentatively scheduled for this Tuesday on the reserve.

"They tell us one of the things they're going to be considering is whether to continue being part of the Deh Cho Process," Reid said.

The court challenge is impeding DCFN self-government negotiations as the federal government's policy is not to come to the table while First Nations are litigating against federal jurisdiction.

Reid said the K'atlodehchee First Nation could decide to seek a stay in proceedings in court pending the outcome of self-government negotiations.

"We've also suggested to the (federal negotiating team) that at a minimum we should get back to negotiating the implementation of the interim measures agreement and they're considering that," he said.