Stephan Burnett
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 24/04) - The government of the Northwest Territories may have tied the hands of impacted aboriginal communities in their negotiations with De Beers Canada through the signing of three agreements with the company on Friday.

The government signed an environmental agreement, a socio-economic agreement and an agreement to support the secondary diamond industry with De Beers prior to the conclusion of aboriginal impact benefit negotiations.

With the signing of the agreements, De Beers now has three more hurdles to clear.

Those hurdles include the completion of aboriginal impact benefit agreements, acquiring the approval of the environmental agreement by Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Andy Mitchell and the issuing of water permits.

The aboriginal communities involved include the Yellowknives Dene Band, Lutsel K'e Dene Band, North Slave Metis Alliance and the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council.

Fred Turner, secretary treasurer of the North Slave Metis Alliance, seemed surprised and rankled by the announcement.

"I would think that it's premature for the government to make that announcement," said Turner.

"We're not ready to sign any of those (impact benefit) agreements, yet. The North Slave Metis Alliance is not there yet," said Turner.

Neither Lutsel K'e Chief Archie Catholique nor Grand Chief Joe Rabesca of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council were available prior to press time, but a source within Lutsel K'e stated the impact benefit negotiations are still ongoing.

De Beers Canada president Richard Molyneux said the agreement "demonstrates we have developed good working relationships with the government of the Northwest Territories and the aboriginal groups involved."

When asked whether aboriginal groups were on board with the signing of the socio-economic and environmental agreement, Linda Dorrington, manager -- public and corporate affairs for De Beers Canada, responded, "I can't speak for them. You would have to speak with them.

"Those (aboriginal impact benefit agreements) are separate agreements negotiated with aboriginal groups. We will continue our negotiations with them. We hope to conclude them as soon as possible to the benefit of all parties involved."

In the agreement, De Beers has agreed to supply NWT diamond cutters and polishers with rough diamonds.

Based on rules of confidentiality within the agreement, Dorrington refused to state to what level De Beers would be supplying rough diamonds at wholesale prices.

Resources Wildlife and Economic Development Minister Brendan Bell would not say categorically whether De Beers would be supplying rough diamonds to NWT cutters and polishers either, but he seemed to hint this was the case.

"The agreement captures previous commitments made to the secondary diamond polishing and cutting industry. They've made some commitments and cemented them in the report. It's a really good day. A lot of work went into this," said Bell.