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Akaitcho government holding up Metis process: president Calls feds 'too chicken' to do anything about it
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 16, 2013
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The Northwest Territory Metis Nation (NWTMN) is calling on the federal government to end the consultations with the Akaitcho Territory Government and approve an agreement-in-principle on land and resources between the Metis Nation and the government.
NWTMN president Garry Bailey said federal approval of the agreement-in-principle with his organization has been held up for a year and a half by the Akaitcho's demand to be consulted.
Bailey said the NWTMN feels Akaitcho has now been consulted enough.
"Now what's happening is they requested another three-month extension so that they can continue to be consulted a little bit more," he said. "We believe that their rights aren't affected through our agreement-in-principle."
In a news release on Sept. 13, Bailey stated the NWTMN is frustrated and angered that the Akaitcho government is holding up the Metis process, and blasted the federal government as "too chicken" to do anything about it.
"We're fed up and we're not going to take it any more," said Bailey. "Treaty rights do not trump indigenous Metis aboriginal rights."
Chief Louis Balsillie of Deninu Ku'e First Nation in Fort Resolution declined to comment on the news release.
Balsillie said the other Akaitcho chiefs would be consulted for a reaction and they will likely issue a joint news release in the future.
In February 2012, the Akaitcho launched a lawsuit against the federal government to get more information on negotiations with the NWTMN, leading to the consultation process.
The NWTMN approved the agreement-in-principle at its annual assembly in late 2012.
The organization represents Metis councils in Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Hay River.
The Akaitcho Territory Government represents First Nations in Fort Resolution, Lutsel K'e and Yellowknife, along with Smith's Landing First Nation of northern Alberta.
Bailey said the delay in approving the agreement-in-principle is costing the NWTMN a lot of money.
"We've spent over $2 million on our process since this has taken place," he said. "And our process is at a standstill because of this consultation process. It's holding us up, and we're ready to move forward. We can't continue to borrow money. We can't lay people off, either, and expect them to come back and work for us in six months or maybe a year."
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