New gov't rep will speed up land claim negotiations, says Dehcho chief negotiator

The chief negotiator for the Dehcho First Nations says he's hopeful a new ministerial special representative will help the First Nation "get the to the finish line," with its land claim negotiations within three years.

In July, the federal and N.W.T. governments named two special representatives to help advance treaty and self-government negotiations in the territory. 

Ann Marie Doyle — who served as the chief federal negotiator with the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation on the former Camp Ipperwash — was appointed to help wrap up negotiations in the Dehcho.

"She's knowledgeable, she's experienced, and we have every expectation she'll be able to to help us figure this all out," said Garth Wallbridge, who was appointed chief negotiator for the Dehcho First Nations in February of this year. 

In 2015, Doyle was appointed by the federal government to represent Canada's interests at the negotiating table for the Dehcho land use plan.

"She knows land use planning issues in the Dehcho and has a sense of the communities here," said Wallbridge confidently.

Wallbridge said he understands Doyle's new role as twofold.

"First, she needs to understand if there are roadblocks and how to get past them, and she needs to be able to explain those roadblocks to her two principals: Bob Mcleod and the federal minister.

"Second, [to understand] if indeed there is desire in the Dehcho to get that to the finish line."

Wallbridge said the answer to the second questions is an obvious "yes."

20 years and counting

The Dehcho, who are in talks over control of about 50,000 square kilometres of land in the southwestern N.W.T., have been negotiating for "the better part of 20 years."

"The big sticking point for certain has been land quantum... and that's something we need to bring to resolution" said Wallbridge.

However, Wallbridge feels Doyle's appointment signals a positive "movement," serving as a clear indicator that the federal and territorial governments are committed to wrapping up negotiations within the lifetime of their governments.

"There's a sprint to the finish line. Three years might not seem like a sprint, but that's the timeline I'm looking at."