THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - The president of the Northwest Territory Metis Nation says her organization will continue to have an equal voice on creating a proposed national park on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake.

Betty Villebrun: Metis are an aboriginal people under the Canadian Constitution. - NNSL file photo

Betty Villebrun made the assertion after Chief Steve Nitah of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation (LKDFN) questioned the right of the Metis organization to be involved in the process.

"I was a little floored, actually," said Betty Villebrun of her reaction to Nitah's comments in the April 12 issue of News/North.

Nitah had expressed disagreement with the need for any separate agreement between the federal government and the Metis Nation.

On April 7 in Calgary, the federal government and LKDFN signed a framework agreement on creating a national park reserve.

The First Nation represents all aboriginal people who are indigenous to the Akaitcho Territory in negotiations over the park, Nitah told News/North. "There should not be two distinct aboriginal groups in our area."

Nitah said the Lutsel K'e and Akaitcho position is indigenous Metis can only claim an interest in the land through their Dene ancestors.

Metis should be Akaitcho citizens and not Metis as defined by the Metis Nation, he said. "If they're in the Akaitcho, then they're Akaitcho Dene."

Villebrun countered that the Canadian Constitution of 1982 recognizes Metis as an aboriginal people.

Villebrun said the federal government has been conducting negotiations on the proposed park on two separate tables – one for Lutsel K'e and the other for the Metis.

Villebrun said a date has not been set for the signing of an agreement between the federal government and the Metis Nation, but she expects it will be in about a month. While Villebrun and Nitah obviously have basic disagreements, she agrees with his opinion that two separate agreements with the federal government may create a stumbling block to ultimately creating a park.

"I think it can be dealt with if they're willing to meet with us in the same room," she said.

Metis people currently hunt, trap, fish and conduct other traditional pursuits in the area of the proposed national park.

"And we're going to be here forever, whether they like it or not," Villebrun said.

Nitah could not be reached for comment on Villebrun's reaction to his remarks.

Villebrun issued a news release on April 13 to assure members of the Metis Nation that their interests were being safeguarded in talks with the federal government, adding a "separate, Metis-specific" framework agreement will be reached between the Metis Nation and Ottawa.

She said, in the wake of Nitah's comments, she felt compelled to publicly assure the indigenous Metis of the South Slave that their interests will be protected in the proposed national park.

Villebrun said, in addition to harvesting rights, a Metis framework agreement will cover the establishment of final boundaries and Metis management of the proposed park on an equal basis with other groups.

"It is our hope that, through negotiations, the proposed park will be a benefit to our people," said Villebrun. "The area would be protected, including harvesting rights, while at the same time training programs will see the opportunity for more of our people to be employed by Parks Canada."

The signed framework agreement between the federal government and LKDFN, representing the Akaitcho Territory, commits the two sides to serious negotiations with the hope of finalizing a deal in two years.

About 33,000 sq. km. is under consideration as a possible park.