Fort Resolution (Aug 28/06) - The Akaitcho Territory Government says it has seen enough of low level managers from government and industry at its assemblies.

Alfred Baillargeon, a delegate from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, addressed the 14th annual assembly of the Akaitcho Territory Government. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Be it resolved: Among the resolutions passed by the 14th annual general assembly of the Akaitcho Territory Government were calls to: Preserve the language of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation -- a combination of Dogrib and Chipewyan -- and call it Weledeh; establish an Akaitcho women's council; support resource revenue sharing, but not devolution; ask the GNWT to withdraw all caribou hunting tags and licences from outfitters in Akaitcho Territory, and compensate Akaitcho Dene for the expected reduced caribou harvest this winter; hold next year's assembly in Lutsel K'e.

Delegates at the Akaitcho's 14th annual general assembly - held Aug. 22-25 in Fort Resolution - were frustrated when representatives of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG) and the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program were unable to answer all questions.

"It's sort of a waste of time and we have a busy schedule," said Barb Labelle, a delegate from Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

The assembly passed a resolution calling on the federal and territorial governments to send only deputy ministers or ministers responsible for policy to future assemblies.

The assembly also discussed an Akaitcho role in upcoming projects.

Yellowknives Chief Peter Liske said the Akaitcho should be part of the APG for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project.

"The more we wait, the more we lose," Liske said.

The assembly also passed a resolution to sign a memorandum of intent on the proposed hydroelectric expansion on the Taltson River.

The Akaitcho Territory Government - representing First Nations in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Lutsel K'e - is a partner in the proposal, along with the Northwest Territory Metis Nation and the GNWT.

However, Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, whose delegates abstained from voting on the resolution, has an agreement with Regional Power to explore hydro opportunities.

"Right now, we can't be a signatory to the Taltson hydro development because we have some issues we need to deal with in our community, one being we have an agreement in place with a hydro developer," said Lutsel K'e Chief Addie Jonasson.

He said other issues are compensation for trappers impacted by the original Taltson development and consultations on transmission lines.

The assembly was extended to Aug. 25 because Deninu Ku'e First Nation Chief Robert Sayine believes the normal three days are not enough for assemblies.

"Everyone was stressed for time," said Sayine, who suggested five days are needed.

At one point, it looked like the assembly would end without passing resolutions. Most of the Yellowknives delegation were about to leave at the end of Thursday because of travel plans, but changed their minds.