LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Fort Simpson's chief is urging Dehcho First Nations to enter into discussions with the GNWT on devolution.

Chief Roy Fabien of K'atlodeeche First Nation voices his thoughts on devolution during Dehcho First Nations winter leadership meeting in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Although collectively Dehcho First Nations (DFN) continues to oppose the agreement-in-principle the GNWT signed on devolution, Jim Antoine, chief of Liidlii Kue First Nation, is calling for co-operation.

Right now DFN is at a distance making it clear it doesn't like the signing of the agreement-in-principle by throwing barbs at targets like Premier Floyd Roland, Antoine said.

"I don't know how useful that's going to be," he told Deh Cho leaders during DFN's winter leadership meeting in Fort Simpson from Feb. 22 to 24.

Antoine said it would be in DFN's best interest to be at the table and look the agreement over carefully and then judge if they can have meaningful involvement. That way DFN could ensure what we want is in the final agreement, he said.

DFN will have to make it very clear in its position paper what it is that's wanted, Antoine added.

However some leaders want to use the situation to DFN's advantage.

Chief Roy Fabien of K'atlodeeche First Nation said DFN could ask that a final devolution agreement not be signed until the Dehcho Process is finished. However, he admitted the demand would probably be ignored as it has been in the past. Instead, Fabian said DFN should take advantage of this opportunity to negotiate an interim land and resources agreement with Canada.

That way, if devolution goes forward, DFN's lands and resources will already be protected, he said.

"This is our land and our resources that they are talking about transferring," Fabien said. "The bottom line here is do you want to be under the government of the Northwest Territories?"

Other leaders were concerned not enough information was available to draft a resolution on how to proceed.

"Most of us don't know much about the devolution process and agreement-in-principle," said Marie Lafferty the president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation.

Lafferty suggested a workshop about devolution be held.

Chief Lloyd Chicot of Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation also argued the issues around devolution aren't clear. Chicot said it is hard to make a resolution when there hasn't been a good discussion on the issue before.

"To me, I think we are a little bit rushing," he said.

Chicot suggested more discussion was needed including getting answers to what devolution means and what its implications are. The leadership needs to know what it would mean if they decided to negotiate with the federal and territorial government on devolution, he said.

Following the discussion leadership and delegates passed a resolution stating DFN will review, analyze and strategize on the devolution agreement-in-principle but that the Dehcho Process must be completed.

Devolution wasn't the only topic on the agenda.

The leadership also passed a resolution asking Canada to renew all interim land withdraw - surface and sub-surface - for another five years on the basis a final agreement on the Dehcho Process is likely several years away.

Last fall the interim land withdraws were only renewed for one year and sub-surface protection was removed from Edehzhie.

During a discussion on litigation, a resolution was passed for DFN to provide the Sambaa K'e and Nahanni Butte Dene Bands with up to $120,000 to fund their legal challenges on overlapping traditional lands with Acho Dene Koe First Nation. When the court case is finished, any recovered funds are to be given back to DFN.

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