Yellowknife (July 05/04) - A Liberal minority government may prove vulnerable enough for the Deh Cho First Nations to achieve some key self-government objectives.

That is Grand Chief Herb Norwegian's hope.

Last Tuesday at the Deh Cho Assembly in Kakisa, federal negotiator Robin Aitken reminded scores of Dene and Metis delegates that the federal government will halt self-government negotiations if the aboriginal parties launch a lawsuit.

The Deh Cho Metis have filed a judicial review over a lack of federal core funding and the DCFN is threatening to go to court seeking representation on a joint review panel for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Norwegian refused to back away from the option of court action to fight for Deh Cho participation in an environmental assessment for the pipeline.

He described Paul Martin's government as "wounded," and said the federal Liberals don't have a strong mandate.

"The bureaucrats are scared stiff," Norwegian said in an interview.

He added that the NDP could now play a pivotal role in advancing aboriginal initiatives. He dared the federal government to see what happens if they break off self-government negotiations.

"We are still the owners of the land and we (decide) what happens on it. We have every right to defend ourselves," said Norwegian.

"The Deh Cho Dene have been sitting idly, patiently for 80 years to (resolve) treaty negotiations. What's another year?"

The DCFN and officials from several regulatory bodies met in Yellowknife on May 28 and June 11, but failed to agree on the Deh Cho's role in a joint review panel.

Premier Joe Handley, who was sitting in the arbour on Wednesday, said he's hopeful the regulatory groups will sit down at the negotiating table with the Deh Cho once more.

"There has to be a compromise there somewhere," Handley said, noting that the GNWT is not directly involved in joint review panel discussions.

Nevertheless, the territorial government is a major stakeholder in a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

"It's a little frustrating for us and we want to see a resolution," the premier said.