AFN REGIONAL UPDATES

GWICH’IN REGION
(Aklavik, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson)

• The Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit region continue to discuss the Beaufort Delta Self Government Agreement that will provide control and protection of their territory.
• Recently the United States Congress passed a motion for approval to drill for oil and natural gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is a sacred place of the Gwich’in people and they believe this is where life begins, the calving and nursery grounds of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. Desecration of the Arctic Refuge would cause serious detriment to caribou and the people of the Gwich’in Nation who have depended on the caribou since time immemorial.

Drilling in the arctic refuge will not boost US national energy securities. The United States consumes 25% of the world’s oil, yet they only own 3% of their proven oil reserves. By 2025, the US is projected to be importing 70% of oil from around the world.

The coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge is one of the last wild places in north America. Caribou, musk oxen, wolves, polar/brown/ black and grizzly bears, and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds rely on the wilderness habitat that the refuge provides. For 2000 years, the porcupine caribou herd has been an important part of their culture and way of life. The Gwich'in people who live near the Refuge, depend on the caribou. Our people will continue to dispute the proposed oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

With the support of the Gwich’in Region, we would like to support a resolution to prevent all development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This will be forwarded to the AFN staff for draft.

SAHTU REGION
(Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake, Tulita, Deline)

• Funding announcement was made to assist communities to intervene in the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.

• One of the most visible reminders in connection to the atomic bomb that was used in World War II was hauled away from the community of Deline. For years a freighter called the Radium Gilbert sat rusting on the shores of the Great Bear Lake. More than half a century ago it hauled the uranium that was used to destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

• The former Dene National Chief of Dene Nation, Steven Kakfwi condemned hearings on the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline as ‘sad and absurd’ and stated that the process needed to be stopped and managed at the community level. A good example was the oil and gas producers insensitivity to community respect; the failure to provide translation services at meetings where few people spoke English.

• The signing of the Deline Community Self Government Agreement was done. This started the self government discussions for the community of Tulita.

• On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, we would like to congratulate Chief Walter Bayha as the new chief of Deline.DEH CHO TERRITORY GOVERNMENT
(Wrigley, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte, Fort Liard, Trout Lake, Fort Providence, Hay River Dene Reserve, West Point, Kakisa)

• The Dehcho First Nation arguing against the DIAND environmental review process for the potential Mackenzie Valley Pipeline celebrated a court victory that will expose how politics influenced the project’s regulatory panel. The federal court ruled that Ottawa must release a sweeping array of documents the federal government relied on to design the joint review panel, which will consider the environmental impacts of the $7 billion pipeline.

• The Assembly of First Nations Regional Office, NWT hosted a Regional Leadership Meeting in Fort Simpson, NWT. The meeting offered the opportunity to discuss a number of regional and national issues including the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline development and social impacts, First Nations Health, Housing, Environment, regional and national concerns brought forth from the regional leadership.

• The Dehgah Alliance Society hosted a two day public discussion about the impacts of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline in Fort Simpson, NWT. The conference revealed that many of the delegates from communities around the Deh Cho worried about existing social problems. They are also not confident they can cope with either the immediate of long term impacts of the pipeline construction.

• The Hay River Dene Reserve, Katlodeeche First Nation completed a joint venture deal with and oil and gas producer, International Frontier Resources of Calgary, Alberta. They plan on looking for natural gas on the settled reserve land.

• The Dehcho First Nation Annual General Assembly will take place in Kakisa, NWT. Issues affecting the region including self government discussions and other related matters will top their agenda. Dates of the AGA will be June 28-July 01, 2005.

• On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, we would like to congratulate Chief Eric Betaska as the new chief of Nahanni Butte.

TLI CHO TERRITORY GOVERNMENT
(Rae, Wha Ti, Wekweti, Gameti)

• Nominations opened for chief and councilors for community governments in each of the four Tli Cho communities. The new government system was negotiated in the Tli Cho land claim and self government agreement, passed earlier this year by Canada will top their agenda and the Tli Cho people. The deal provides the Tli Cho people financial resources, control over lands, resources, education, health and culture in the region, and the establishment of a new system of government. On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, we would like to congratulate the Tli Cho Territory in achieving Self Government for their people.

• August 01-05, 2005: The Tli Cho Annual General Assembly will take place in Rae, NWT.

• August 08-12, 2005: The Tli Cho Government will be implemented where by this governing body will begin to function under their existing agreement.

AKAITCHO TERRITORY GOVERNMENT
(Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Ndilo, Dettah, Lutsel K’e)

• A Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) MLA is stating that their territorial department (Municipal and Community Affairs) is giving the Yellowknives Dene First Nation preferential treatment for a valuable piece of land in Yellowknife. The Yellowknives Dene want to start constructing 400 homes at the Yellowknife airport, but the City of Yellowknife has had plans for that same location. It wanted to develop an industrial park. Both are working out the situation.

• The federal government has chosen a new negotiator to continue discussions with the Akaitcho Territory Government.
DEVELOTION AND RESOURCE REVENUE SHARING MANAGED BY THE ABORIGINAL SUMMIT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
For the last couple of years, First Nations Leaders agreed to evaluate progress on devolution and resource revenue negotiations to determine whether the federal mandate would be adjusted to address First Nation governments’ interests and the needs of Northerners generally. Northern Leaders were hesitating and questioning the federal mandate of resource revenue sharing and devolution because it did not meet the interests of First Nation governments. Some areas were:

-Non-derogation language
-Offshore negotiations
-Financial matters

All parties of the Aboriginal Summit agreed that progress was needed on First Nations issues if there was any chance of finalizing an Agreement-in-Principle between the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Land Claim proponent regions.
At the most recent negotiation session, the federal government clearly stated it was motivated to resolve outstanding issues. The federal negotiations team was responsive to the issues raised by the Aboriginal Summit and potential solutions are emerging on these topics.
Issues Outstanding in the Agreement in Principle
The key remaining subject matter for negotiation is Net Fiscal Benefit. Finance Canada has not yet engaged with the GNWT and the Summit on this issue.
Two other issues require resolution prior to the completion of the AIP. One is the description of the line of delineation marking the onshore from the offshore. This is an important matter in terms of resource revenue sharing.
As well, the GNWT and Canada are continuing to negotiate the appropriate level of detail to provide in the AIP with respect to terms and conditions of the transfer of employees from Canada to the GNWT.
It is not clear whether these issues will be resolved at the negotiations table or whether they will require political resolution.
Issues with the GNWT
With regards to the GNWT, the Aboriginal Summit has been stating that any transfer of administration and control of land and resources to the GNWT must be subject to agreements reached between First Nation governments and the GNWT. For some time, the GNWT has resisted Summit proposals for language in the AIP that would provide such a commitment. However in the lead-up to the latest negotiation session March 2005, an agreement was reached on language that ensures that GNWT legislation will be reviewed so that it can be consistent with the duties associated with the honour of the Crown.
Despite this progress, other issues remain outstanding. The Premier stated at the recent Intergovernmental Forum in Norman Wells that he ‘is not going to be the Premier that is going to transfer anymore from the federal government to the Territorial government without working with the Aboriginal leaders.’ It appears that important changes are required in this working relationship before true cooperative arrangements can develop.
First Nation leaders need to consider the delivery of a strong message to let the GNWT know that any recent advances on devolution and resource revenue sharing may be jeopardized unless a truly inclusive process between the GNWT and First Nation governments is established and supported.
The message should be that ‘working with the First Nations Leaders’ requires clarification of the relationship between the GNWT and First Nations governments. This includes:

® explanation of the GNWT’s obligations to First Nations peoples;
® transparency on the ‘government to government’ relationship;
® agreement on joint decision-making for resource management, and
® agreement on an equitable revenue sharing arrangement.
First Nation Leaders may want to communicate the message that “only when a common understanding of these key issues is reached with the GNWT, can the devolution and resource revenue sharing process continue towards completion”.
The north has many issues that are facing First Nations citizens. The Dene are repeating that people want to develop the north consistently with the positions taken over the last number of years that reflect their treaties and aboriginal rights. The ‘Boom and Bust’ economy does not work. Social and economic stability must be a priority with the Crown, recognizing First Nations as land owners and legitimate governments. The Tli Cho legislation is a step in the right direction. However, what is required is work at a “pan territorial” or “Dene National” view of what we want in terms of self government. People in the communities and regions know what they want and control must be invested in them. Models to incorporate a government of all regions needs to be agreed upon which includes financing that type of government.
In the early 1990’s models were looked at such as the work by the late Jim Bourque and his commission to inquire about self government. The problem at that time was, we were ahead of ourselves and we didn’t know what levels of authority communities would have. Now we have the Tli Cho Government, we have a much better motive and must work together at territorial models. Once we know what we want in the north, we can then together approach Canada on our future. Cooperation is the key if we want this to come about. We will continue to need the strong support of chiefs across Canada to accomplish this.
And finally, we would like to thank the Assembly of First Nations executive and staff for working so diligently at the national level. Also, chiefs at all levels must continue to work with their membership to ensure their people attain their goals. We are not able to function without these hard working people. On behalf of the Dene in the NWT, we would like to wish you a very relaxing visit to the land of Denendeh and encourage you to get to know our people and to return in the near future.
Sincerely Bill Erasmus
Regional Chief
Assembly of First Nations