Snowdrift (Oct 18/04) - Negotiations are expected this fall for the establishment of a national park reserve on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake.

The talks will be between Parks Canada and the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, which has traditionally used the proposed reserve area.

"We are in the midst of looking for a negotiator," said Chief Archie Catholique.

Negotiations will centre on the best way to protect the area, either through a park reserve or some other arrangement, he said.

Boundaries, traditional harvesting rights and economic benefits are among the issues to be discussed.

While Catholique noted the idea for a park goes back to at least the 1970s, no formal talks have ever been held.

"We've never gone that far before," he said.

Catholique says he will talk to other Akaitcho chiefs about the negotiations.

Chief Robert Sayine of Deninu Ku'e First Nation in Fort Resolution expects Akaitcho communities to be involved and consulted in the process.

"We have to take part in it, for sure," he said, noting the park issue is one of the main items in the Akaitcho Treaty 8 process.

"We have to work together at this so the best deal can be made," Sayine added, noting the Deninu Ku'e have also traditionally used the area.

A spokesperson for Parks Canada says Lutsel K'e has not yet officially notified the agency that it wishes to begin negotiations.

"The indications are they want to go ahead," said Bob Gamble, a public involvement officer with the agency's Parks Establishment Branch in Yellowknife.

The next move

The next move is now up to Lutsel K'e and other Akaitcho communities, Gamble said, noting the Northwest Territory Metis Nation also has an interest in the area.

A national park reserve can be established under the National Parks Act even if aboriginal title and interests have not been resolved.

For example, Nahanni National Park Reserve exists even though the Deh Cho Process has not been completed.

A national park would be established later, after the resolution of title and interests.

Gamble noted that in 1970, the federal government withdrew 7,150 square kilometres of land for a future park in the East Arm.

It is off limits to development.

There are many unique features to the area -- spectacular cliffs, extremely deep fresh water, an abrupt transition from forest to tundra, caribou herds and several abandoned Chipewyan villages.