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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Dehcho First Nations is emphatically opposing proposed amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.

"We don't support the one super board concept," said Dehcho First Nations' Grand Chief Samuel Gargan.

Gargan said Dehcho First Nations (DFN) will continue to work towards securing the Dehcho Resource Management Authority, a resource management board specifically for the Deh Cho region.

On March 28 and 29, DFN sent three representatives to a meeting in Yellowknife hosted by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada about the proposed amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.

"I thought it was a flawed meeting to begin with," said Chief Wayne Sabourin of Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation in Fort Providence, who was one of the representatives.

Sabourin said the meeting seemed to have been arranged at the last minute. The federal government didn't provide translators for the elders, who accounted for approximately one-quarter of the audience, and there was only one microphone.

"They didn't produce anything except their agenda," he said. "It was a like a slap in the face from the government."

Sabourin said federal government officials presented their restructuring plans that include closing the Sahtu, Gwich'in and Tlicho boards that were created when those land claims were settled.

They also said no further boards would be formed when other land claims, such as the Dehcho Process, are finalized. The attitude was accept the restructuring plans or be run over, he said.

"It's like we're being pushed aside where we have no say," said Sabourin.

Sabourin said the aboriginal groups present were united against the restructuring of the land and water boards. He added he hopes communities in the Deh Cho stand together on this issue.

"The whole region should be aware of what is going on with this restructuring," he said.

Sabourin also said the federal government should consult with communities about the proposed restructuring or attend a DFN leadership meeting to hear DFN's point of view.

Gargan said DFN has included its position on the Dehcho Resource Management Authority as part of the Dehcho Process. Federal negotiators, however, have never responded to it, he said.

By attempting to close the other regional boards, Gargan said the government is showing, "the agreements are not worth the paper they are written on."

Gargan, who wasn't present at the meeting in Yellowknife, said he is waiting to hear from the aboriginal coalition that met last week to see what the next step in the proposed restructuring plan will be.

– with files from Paul Bickford

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