First Nation leaders gathered in Ottawa Wednesday to protest what they say was the federal government’s decision to end the discussions over the North of 60 Final Agreement. (submitted photo/PAGC)

By Brady Bateman

North of 60

Update: Minister’s office comments on Denesuline leaders protesting North of 60 decision

Jun 19, 2019 | 5:07 PM

Update: paNOW reached out to Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennets office for a comment regarding the decision to end negotiations pertaining to the North of 60 agreement.

“No relationship is more important to Canada than the one with Indigenous Peoples and we are committed to renewing that relationship on the basis of affirmation and implementation of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership,” paNOW was told in an email from the office of Minister Bennet.

“Concerns have been raised by Indigenous groups in the Northwest Territories about the terms of the draft agreement and the impact on their communities and rights. We have a responsibility to meaningfully consult with these communities in order to understand and work through the issues they have brought forward.”

Dene leaders gathered in Ottawa Wednesday to protest a last minute about-face by the Canadian government, regarding the North of 60 Final Agreement on land title and harvesting rights.

A delegation representing Black Lake First Nation, Fond Du Lac First Nation, Hatchet Lake First Nation, Northlands Denesuline First Nation and Sayisi First Nation held a press conference and public demonstration today. The effort was to bring attention to a recent decision by the Canadian government they allege unilaterally ended discussion in regards to the North of 60 Agreement.

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The discussions have taken place over 18 years, with the Prince Albert Grand Council’s (PAGC) Denesų̨łiné and the Ghotelnene K’odtineh Dene saying in a press release that discussions were on the verge of finalizing land claim agreements and harvesting rights within traditional territories situated in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

“We are deeply disappointed by the Honourable Minister Carolyn Bennett’s decision,” PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said in a press release. “All stakeholders were totally committed to the process, so this seems to be a major departure from what seemed to be very successful negotiations. I highly recommend that the minister reconsider her decision and once again re-open discussions and find a successful conclusion to North of 60.”

An open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from the leadership concerning the North of 60 Agreement. (Athabasca Denesuline Final Agreement – North of 60/Facebook)

Speaking to paNOW on behalf of the delegation, Chief Negotiatior for the Athabasca Denesų̨łiné, Ron Robillard, said the decision was made to travel to Ottawa, and protest the recent decision and to organize a meeting with Bennett.

“We’ve been in good faith negotiations with the Government of Canada over the past 19 years on the recognition of the harvesting and other benefits which would be recognized within our traditional territory in the Northwest Territories as well as in Nunavut,” Robillard said.

First Nation leaders protested in Ottawa regarding the end to discussions over the North of 60 Final Agreement. (submitted photo/PAGC)

“Minister Bennet promised us that she was going to initial our final agreement before the elections. That’s what we were promised. Now at the last minute, when we were going to initial the agreement, the minister backed out, it was frustrating and it was upsetting.”

Robillard added consultations regarding the Treaty draft document have been underway since 2016 with other Indigenous groups in the Northwest Territories. He added any concerns those other groups may have had were addressed.

“I was really excited. Last week I travelled to Yellowknife to initial the maps that would form part of our settlement agreement. And just at this last minute we received an email saying we couldn’t initial the maps until further notice,” Robillard said. “Soon after, a letter came from the minister that informed us that the commitment she had made to initial our agreement could no longer happen until further notice.

“We were left in the dark. Our people in Northern Saskatchewan were really looking forward to this agreement.”

paNOW has requested a copy of the email from Bennet’s office and reached out to the federal government for comment late Wednesday. There was no immediate response at the time of writing.

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Brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TheDigitalBirdy