DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - When leaders of the Dehcho First Nations (DCFN) think about long-term planning their forethought isn't limited to a few years or decades - they are thinking in terms of centuries.

Leaders from most of the communities around the Deh Cho region gathered in Fort Providence last week for the DCFN's annual assembly.

Negotiating a comprehensive Land Claim agreement continues to be one of the DCFN's top priorities.

"Our position is that we don't think in fiscal terms, we think in seven generations - year 2509 is seven generations. This agreement has to stand the test of time," Grand Chief Samuel Gargan told Deh Cho Drum on Saturday.

Gargan said other issues include the Mackenzie pipeline project, the Mackenzie highway, the NWT Water Strategy, and the Dehcho Process.

"Everything at this point is strategy and we're not going to commit to any kind of decisions until we are sure what we're doing will work," said Gargan.

On the pipeline issue, Gargan said DCFN is waiting to hear from the joint review panel, which he expects to have a report ready in December.

"If that event doesn't satisfy us then we wait for the access and benefits discussions, after the National Energy Board hearings," Gargan said.

On the issue of the Mackenzie highway, Gargan said the community of Wrigley will play a major role in the decision on whether or not the DCFN will move forward with the highway.

"What does the community need in Wrigley?" was the key question posed by Gargan.

"Does the community need more recreation? Community hall, maybe? RCMP, a nurse? Those are the issues that will probably open the opportunity for a highway. We still need to discuss this further with the community," he added.

The NWT Water Strategy continues to be a concern of the DCFN and the leadership is considering including water issues in the Dehcho Process during their negotiations with the federal government.

"The NWT Water Strategy, this is an initiative by the GNWT but our problem with that is it uses very vague language regarding the aboriginal and treaty rights to water," said Gargan.

"We also looked at the old issue of land resources. This is a difficult issue, and it is difficult to resolve even at the negotiation table. This is an issue that we need to quietly discuss with our members - seek their guidance, talk to our elders, and then see where it takes us," Gargan added.

Then there is the overlap of land between Nahanni Butte, Trout Lake, and Fort Liard.

"We'll be discussing their asserted territory with (Acho Dene Koe/Fort Liard). To reach a consensus is what we hope."

Peter Marcellais attended the forum as a proxy for Nahanni Butte chief Fred Tesou.

"We had a good meeting, it was really good. A lot of good information," said Marcellais.

"The most important thing for me would be the DCFN support with the Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte, and ADK (Acho Dene Koe ) boundary issues," he continued, although nothing solid will be happening with this until a meeting in November between the involved parties.

Kakisa chief Lloyd Chicot was also present.

"The biggest thing there was the Dehcho Process and how it is moving forward. We're looking at resolving those issues," said Chicot.