Dehcho may press pause on process
First Nations leaders to vote on motion in early July
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 2, 2015
DEH CHO
The Dehcho Process has been a bumpy ride and it may get bumpier yet if First Nations leaders agree to pause the process until after federal and territorial elections.
Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge spoke during the Dehcho Annual Assembly from June 23 to 25. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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During the Dehcho First Nations Annual Assembly from June 23 to 25, communities considered doing just that. It was only a lack of time that got the decision pushed to a leadership teleconference some time next week.
During the leadership teleconference, community leaders will decide whether or not it is in the best interests of the Dehcho First Nations to hold off on continuing the process and see whether a different government takes power.
Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said the entire process could shift if the federal NDP party is elected. Norwegian was acclaimed as grand chief during the assembly, as no one ran against him.
Land-use plan in fine shape
While the process is up in the air, the Dehcho Land Use Planning Committee said the plan is nearing its final stages.
"It is one of the most progressive land use plans in relation to the balance of lands for conservation and development," said Joachim Bonnetrouge, committee chair and Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation Chief.
Committee director and DFN representative Allen Bouvier said the plan is at a very important stage and could see implementation some time in 2016.
"It's like being 95 per cent up Mount Everest. You've come an awful long way, you're so close to the summit you can almost touch the top of it. It only takes a little more hard work and you're there," Bouvier said.
Having worked on the plan since 2012, Bouvier said the current version reflects important traditional values and identifies important areas.
"The committee has worked really hard to resolve outstanding issues," he said.
"These things take a long, long time. People grow old at the table - I've been one of them ... and it's because the document is so important that we had to take the time we've taken."
Aside from protecting areas around communities, the plan also discusses the management of five main types of land use: tourism, mining, agriculture, commercial timber development and oil and gas activities.
Bouvier said the plan also proposes a new balance of lands for conservation and development.
"I think when you look at some of the measures in it and the amount of lands that are protected, and the flexibility in the plan to allow development under certain conditions, if I were to show this plan to anybody in any other jurisdiction, they'd probably sign it tomorrow," Bouvier said.
On the evening of June 30, Environment Canada issued air quality alerts for Fort Providence, Kakisa, Jean Marie River and the Fort Simpson area.
