Overlapping Traditional Territories Focus Of Talks

Overlapping Traditional Territories Focus Of Talks

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 14:07

The four Dene First Nations of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council are talking about how to deal with resource development on overlapping traditional territories.

Elders and other delegates from the bands met in Turnor Lake earlier this week to begin the process of reaching common ground on the issue.

Birch Narrows band councillor Ivan Morin says the bands are hoping to present a united front to industry and government when it comes to exploration and development on traditional land.

Morin says if a new development opportunity comes up in one of the overlapped areas, they want to have a way for it to be resolved without a “big stink” being created.

He says that sort of situation is going to happen eventually, whether the bands want to admit it or not.

One of the ideas presented at the meeting would see the four bands getting an equal share of benefits from development on disputed territory.

Morin says the next meeting will take place in Dillon.