Ottawa (Dec 24/04) - The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has reportedly affirmed the federal government's desire to continue negotiating with the Dehcho First Nations (DFN).

Last Friday, aboriginal leaders from the Deh Cho were summoned to Ottawa, where they met with Andy Scott for close to two hours, Liidlii Kue Chief Keyna Norwegian said.

"We heard it first-hand that, 'No we're not going to suspend the Deh Cho process or cut the funding.' When he (Scott) said that, we were pretty happy ... They definitely want to work on the issues at hand," she said.

"We left the room feeling really good."

The DFN still has a pair of outstanding legal challenges against the federal government. Those court cases were filed in an effort to enhance Deh Cho participation in an environmental assessment for a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

A lawyer hired by the federal government recommended in November that unless the DFN dropped its demand for what he characterized as a veto over the pipeline, the government should end self-government negotiations. Scott didn't take a hard line last week, however, according to Norwegian.

Nevertheless, he did urge Deh Cho leaders to suspend legal action as it poses an impediment to negotiations, Norwegian noted. The decision whether to shelve the lawsuits will have to be made by leadership as a whole, likely in January, she said.

Grand Chief Herb Norwegian left a message with the Drum stating, "Negotiations are back on track. They were at a standstill for a couple of weeks. I'm just hoping that things continue to keep moving."

He couldn't be reached for further comment prior to press deadline.

A federal official said the framework agreement between the federal government and the DFN remains in place allowing for out-of-court discussions, but prevents remarks to the media.

Keyna Norwegian also noted that the Assembly of First Nations -- while its national delegates met in Ottawa two weeks ago -- passed a resolution to support the DFN's position on the pipeline and as rightful land owners without a settled claim.