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Metis want respect

Says government intentionally delaying negotiations

Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (July 21/03) - The NWT government is dragging its feet when it comes to land claim negotiations says the head of the Metis National Assembly.

"It seems like they're stonewalling us," said Robert Tordiff whose group is currently in talks with the federal and territorial governments over traditional land rights.

"We want to move forward, the federal government wants to move forward but the GNWT doesn't seem to share the same drive," he said.

Under the terms of a deal signed in June 2002, the GNWT was supposed to provide four documents - called schedules - which outlined a power sharing agreement with the Metis.

But Tordiff said the GNWT has failed to live up to its end of the bargain and as a result, the Metis have little control over what goes on in their territory.

"(The GNWT) has gone back on its word," he said. "We were supposed to have some say over issues like the disposition of crown land ... and the issuing of permits, but because three of the four schedules are still outstanding, we do not."

Tordiff said the slow pace of negotiations has also put a financial burden on the NWT Metis Assembly.

"The government can just get more money from the taxpayers, but we have to take out a loan (to pay for the negotiating process)," he said.

The Metis assembly passed a resolution at its annual meeting in Fort Smith two weeks ago calling on the GNWT to proceed diligently with negotiations.

"It doesn't seem like the territorial negotiator has the authority to make decisions," said Tordiff.

"But I guess it's to their benefit to maintain the status quo."

The assembly also asked the federal and territorial governments to give the Metis some say over developments like the East Arm Park and the Snap Lake Diamond Project.

"We want to have some control over what happens on our land ... and we should benefit from development," said Tordiff.

But above all, Tordiff said he wants the Metis to be treated an equal partners in all negotiations.

"It has been a difficult struggle for the Metis to gain recognition," he said. "We want to remind the government of their obligation to deal with us fairly."