Yellowknife (May 02/03) - Negotiators for the determination of the NWT provided an update on how talks on devolution of government powers are unfolding.

The three levels of government first met in May 2001 in Hay River, to endorse a memorandum of intent that established the process of the transfer of power.

Standard negotiations began last September, but right now, the teams have halted those talks until a framework agreement is completed.

The document formally outlines what subject matter will be negotiated and when.

Bob Simpson, chief negotiator for the aboriginal summit, said they have been working on the agreement for the past six months and that the document will take "two weeks to two months" more.

"We have another negotiations session at the end of May, when we hope to initial the framework agreement," Simpson said.

"Hopefully, we'd have a signing ceremony sometime shortly after that."

Simpson said the talks are very complex with land claims negotiations and self government negotiations evolving as the devolution talks continue.

He said the transfer of power should be complete in two years.

The deal includes resource revenue that will allow for the NWT to draw their own conclusions on how money earned here should be spent here.

The transfer will reduce territorial government dependency on the federal government, while allowing flexibility to steer how money is spent.

David Peterson, former Ontario premier and chief negotiator for the federal government, said the talks are going "extremely well," considering how many issues are on the table.

"It's a unique discussion with many parties involved here with wide, wide consultation," Peterson said. "There are a lot of people and a lot of views and there is a lot of money on the table."

"It's going much better than anybody expected and I think it's going faster than people expected and I think there is a tremendous amount of goodwill around the table," he said. "I think the stars are aligned and I am optimistic."