After 9 months, Dehcho First Nations cut ties with chief negotiator

The N.W.T.'s Dehcho First Nations have a new chief negotiator, at least for now.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, chiefs appointed Grand Chief Herb Norwegian to the role on an interim basis, taking over from former chief negotiator Garth Wallbridge.

Norwegian wouldn't provide any details on why DCFN parted ways with Wallbridge, a Yellowknife lawyer who was in the job for only about nine months.

• Garth Wallbridge appointed chief negotiator for Dehcho First Nations land claim

Norwegian said they're going to look for a permanent replacement, but couldn't say how long that might take.

"It's a long drawn out process, but at this point it's not a priority. The priority is just to make sure the discussions and the rapport that we have with the government is still there and then we'll continue to re-jig and continue to move our process forward."

The Dehcho First Nations, made up of 10 First Nations and two Métis groups, are currently negotiating a land claim in the southwestern N.W.T.