SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - "We're going to carry on with our plans for tomorrow and I have no plans to meet with the Dene at this time."

This was the blunt message from Indian and Northern Affairs Minister John Duncan at a press conference in Yellowknife yesterday afternoon.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Minister John Duncan told reporters in Yellowknife yesterday he had "no plans" to meet with Dene leaders before a non-legally binding draft devolution agreement is signed this morning. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

His stance came despite several Dene leaders expressing a desire to talk about their concerns relating to a draft devolution agreement before it is signed at a ceremony scheduled for 9:45 a.m. today at the legislative assembly.

Duncan said the draft agreement - which would address the transfer of federal authority over land management and resources to the GNWT - is not legally binding and "everybody's had a copy since September so there's actually no surprises here."

He added the agreement in no way will interfere with either settled or unsettle land claims.

"There's lots of opportunity for the aboriginal groups to sign on at any time," said Duncan.

Speaking to Yellowknifer immediately after those comments from Duncan, Dettah Chief Ed Sangris - of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Akaitcho territory - said he still had not been informed of whether he would be meeting with Duncan.

"We were hoping to meet with him but if he indicated he's not willing then it certainly opens up our options to take the next step," said Sangris. "If he's not willing to listen to us then we'll see what we can do."

An injunction on the devolution proceedings is something Sangris mentioned as an option, but he said "we'll just have to wait and see what comes of it."

A big concern for Sangris is what will happen to land that is currently withdrawn, to protect it from development while the Akaitcho territory's unsettled land claims are being negotiated. He said the land withdrawal expires in 2012, and if the land is then going to be the responsibility of the GNWT then "that's a problem."

"Now having to deal with the GNWT (rather than ., in the event of devolution) ... it doesn't sit right with us," said Sangris.

In a written submission in the Jan. 24 edition of NWT News/North, Premier Floyd Roland stated that aboriginal governments have had the opportunity to participate as full parties to devolution for nine years. He also wrote that the agreement in principle will contain provisions to protect aboriginal and treaty rights.

Sangris said the Akaitcho Dene have no plans to show up at the signing today to "send the message that we're not supportive of the devolution at this time."

The Dene Nation sent notice late yesterday that it has planned a rally to show its opposition to the devolution agreement.

That demonstration is scheduled to take place at the legislative assembly this morning at 9 a.m.

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