Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Nov 04/02) - After four years of failed negotiations and frustration, the Dogrib and Deh Cho have settled on a boundary between their regions.

Any remnants of hard feelings were washed away in kind words and the stroke of a pen in Fort Providence on Oct. 31.

Deh Cho Grand Chief Michael Nadli and Dogrib (Tlicho) Grand Chief Joe Rabesca signed the boundary agreement to great applause and cheering.

The delegates from the Deh Cho fall leadership assembly then joined the scores of Dogrib visitors, who came to witness the occasion, in singing and dancing around the room.

"I'll probably be singing all the way home," said an exultant Rabesca. "I think it's an historic moment. We can all be proud."

Nadli added, "In the future it would be better to work side by side with each other."

Nadli and Rabesca personally took over the boundary file from their respective negotiators in June. On Thursday, only one last swath of land was expected to be contentious, but Rabesca surprised Deh Cho delegates by graciously conceding to their claim.

Through a clause in the boundary agreement, Rabesca said, he and the Dogrib people will retain their traditional hunting and trapping rights in the area anyway.

The document also obligates the parties to consult each other before undertaking any project that could impact traditional harvesting activities between the two nations.

Sangris dour

Standing at one end of the room as a observer for the Yellowknives Dene, Fred Sangris was not at all cheerful. When asked to join in the celebratory dance, he declined.

"It's a sad day for me," he said.

"I think the Dogrib pulled the wool over the Deh Cho's eyes.

"(The Dogrib) made a deal on somebody else's land ... it's created a bigger problem," Sangris said, noting that the Akaitcho have historically travelled to the Gypsum Point area near Great Slave Lake, which has now been turned over to the Deh Cho.

Three-way negotiations among the Dogrib, Deh Cho and Akaitcho will consequently be necessary, according to Sangris. Herb Norwegian, assistant negotiator for the Deh Cho, said the Deh Cho will propose to have the overlap area protected, hopefully appeasing the Akaitcho.

Rabesca was to meet with Akaitcho leaders in Yellowknife on Friday.

"This is a deal between the Dogrib and the Deh Cho. It has nothing to do with the Yellowknives," Rabesca said Thursday.

"You've got to take it one step at a time."