[IPSM] [Mackenzie pipeline] Negotiations 'back on track' [with government Indians]

[Macdonald Stainsby]

 Negotiations 'back on track'

Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Ottawa (Dec 24/04) - The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development has reportedly affirmed the federal government's desire to
continue negotiating with the Dehcho First Nations (DFN).

Last Friday, aboriginal leaders from the Deh Cho were summoned to Ottawa,
where they met with Andy Scott for close to two hours, Liidlii Kue Chief
Keyna Norwegian said.

"We heard it first-hand that, 'No we're not going to suspend the Deh Cho
process or cut the funding.' When he (Scott) said that, we were pretty
happy ... They definitely want to work on the issues at hand," she said.

"We left the room feeling really good."

The DFN still has a pair of outstanding legal challenges against the
federal government. Those court cases were filed in an effort to enhance
Deh Cho participation in an environmental assessment for a proposed
Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

A lawyer hired by the federal government recommended in November that
unless the DFN dropped its demand for what he characterized as a veto over
the pipeline, the government should end self-government negotiations.
Scott didn't take a hard line last week, however, according to Norwegian.

Nevertheless, he did urge Deh Cho leaders to suspend legal action as it
poses an impediment to negotiations, Norwegian noted. The decision whether
to shelve the lawsuits will have to be made by leadership as a whole,
likely in January, she said.

Grand Chief Herb Norwegian left a message with the Drum stating,
"Negotiations are back on track. They were at a standstill for a couple of
weeks. I'm just hoping that things continue to keep moving."

He couldn't be reached for further comment prior to press deadline.

A federal official said the framework agreement between the federal
government and the DFN remains in place allowing for out-of-court
discussions, but prevents remarks to the media.

Keyna Norwegian also noted that the Assembly of First Nations -- while its
national delegates met in Ottawa two weeks ago -- passed a resolution to
support the DFN's position on the pipeline and as rightful land owners
without a settled claim.


--
Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope.
--Brecht.