Roland to take devolution deal to N.W.T. public

Northwest Territories Premier Floyd Roland says his government will hold community meetings to explain the agreement-in-principle he signed last week.

Roland was grilled by MLAs this week about the controversial agreement, which he signed with federal Indian and Northern Affairs Minister John Duncan on Jan. 26 despite opposition from aboriginal groups.

The agreement-in-principle puts the N.W.T. on track to gain control over Crown lands and resources. The document sets the stage for negotiations towards a final deal.

But the agreement has been signed by only two of the seven N.W.T. aboriginal groups that have been asked to sign it, while the other five groups refused to do so.

In the legislative assembly Friday, Yellowknife Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro asked Roland what he plans to do to mend relationships with those aboriginal groups.

Bisaro suggested that the premier hold public meetings in every community to discuss the devolution agreement.

"As we look towards the future and what we can [do] within in the next number of days and weeks, looking at trying to schedule those community meetings," Roland responded.

"We're prepared to go in and have these information meetings, so that people will be fully informed as we progress in our work plan as the government of the Northwest Territories."

Some aboriginal leaders have said the agreement does not provide a big enough share of resource royalties, while others fear their own land claim and self-government negotiations may be jeopardized.

Roland said he is rewriting the government invitation to aboriginal leaders to meet and discuss the agreement-in-principle.

However, he said some of the leaders' specific concerns were not raised until last week. Other issues, such as the splitting up of resource revenues, belong at the negotiating table, he added.