Fort Simpson (Oct 31/03) - The federal government has called off a self-government negotiations session with the Deh Cho First Nations.

Chris Reid, Deh Cho chief negotiator, said his federal counterpart informed him last week that the Nov. 10-12 meeting will not proceed. Reid said he was told that Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Robert Nault "is pissed off at the Deh Cho for exposing the Bernier scandal."

"It appears he's just written off the Deh Cho," said Reid.

Alastair Mullin, communications director for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, however, replied that cancelling the upcoming negotiations session is not a federal government attempt at punishing the Deh Cho.

"Have the Deh Cho done something that they feel would merit being punished? I just find that odd," Mullin said.

Since the Deh Cho have turned their attention to the Bernier matter, Mullin said federal officials felt the November meeting "probably wouldn't have been that fruitful for anyone.

"We just said let's just put it aside for a day or two," Mullin said. "We're cancelling a meeting, everyone should calm down. Obviously nobody wants to aggravate the Deh Cho. If they have legitimate concerns they can be dealt with."

Reid said Nault's reaction has been consistent when the Deh Cho use publicity to cast light on perceived government wrongs.

"He (Nault) tends to just lash out and have temper tantrums like this when things become publicly known," he said.

Until another negotiations session is held, the Deh Cho have enough to do internally to keep busy, such as developing a written constitution, Reid said. He also noted that a federal election is in the offing early next year.

"Minister Nault has only a few months left on his term," he said. "It seems unlikely he'll be re-appointed by Paul Martin. All I can tell you is that we're not worried about it."