The GNWT's proposed undermines land claims, self government and inherent treaty rights, said the Dene Nation in a March 1 news release.
The Dene Nation criticized the conduct of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) in drafting the act, which combines two existing pieces of legislation: the Forest Management Act and the Forest Protection Act.
In the release, Dehcho First Nation Grand Chief Gladys Norwegian said the territorial government did not consult with all the Dene Nation's member nations while preparing the proposed legislation.
She characterized this as a SA国际影视传媒渄eliberate tactic to divide Indigenous governments."
According to the government's website, the new act will legislate management of non-timber forest products like biomass, require the industry to prepare fire prevention plans and update regulations for fees, charges, fines and offences.
The release states Sahtu Grand Chief Wilfred McNeely, Dene National Chief Norman Yakelaya and Akaitcho representative Ed Sangris oppose the draft legislation.
Sangris argues the bill should be pulled because of a lack of support, similar to the withdrawal of the Wildlife Act in the 16th Assembly, to give the GNWT and Indigenous Governments an opportunity to work out disagreement and reintroduce the legislation in the 17th Assembly.
In a separate release on March 5, the Tlicho Government stated that they disagree with the Dene Nation's criticisms.
SA国际影视传媒淭he Tlicho Government speaks for the Tlicho,SA国际影视传媒� states the release.
The Tlicho Government said it was SA国际影视传媒渁ctively involvedSA国际影视传媒� in the development and drafting of the bill and while it has SA国际影视传媒渟erious concernsSA国际影视传媒� with the proposed act, it disagrees with the Dene Nation's criticism that the process, SA国际影视传媒渢reated Dene 'as if their land claims did not exist.'"
Tlicho Grand Chief George Mackenzie stated his government is committed to working with the GNWT through the committee process on areas that need improvement but that the Dene Nation release SA国际影视传媒渄oes not accurately reflect (Tlicho) experience working with the GNWT.SA国际影视传媒�
The Tlicho have been actively involved in the development of the Mineral Resources Act, the Protected Areas Act and the Forest Act in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement, states the release.
SA国际影视传媒淚f it proves necessary to oppose the Forest Act, Tlicho Government will take those steps it deems appropriate,SA国际影视传媒� it continues.
Legislation drafted using lessons from Wildlife Act
The Forest Act was developed through a partnership with the Technical Working Group made up of Indigenous governments and organizations with input from non-governmental organizations, regulatory boards and industry representatives.
The drafting and engagement period took more than two years, said ENR department spokesperson Meagan Wohlberg.
The partnership approach was developed to SA国际影视传媒渞educe the potential for conflict or duplicationSA国际影视传媒� and was modeled using the process for development of the Wildlife Act.
The GNWT will release its summary results of engagement with the working group to highlight how their concerns were integrated into the draft legislation, said Wohlberg.
SA国际影视传媒淭he GNWT is confident that the revised bill reflects and addresses the concerns raised by the (working group), Indigenous governments and organizations, and stakeholders through the extensive engagement and consultation process over the past two years, and that they will see their contributions reflected in the bill,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
The draft bill SA国际影视传媒渆xplicitly recognizes and affirmsSA国际影视传媒� Aboriginal and treaty rights, including commitments of land claim and self-government agreements, said Wohlberg.
The working group included all members of the Intergovernment Council, the North Slave Me虂tis Alliance, Dehcho First Nations, Akaitcho Territorial Government and NWT renewable resource boards.
The Dene Nation stated there is SA国际影视传媒渟trong and unanimous protestSA国际影视传媒� among all governments within Dene Nation. Governments that make up the working group include KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation, T艂寞ch谦 Government, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Tribal Council, Sahtu Secretariat Inc., De虂l谋台ne台 GotSA国际影视传媒櫮碧╪e台 Government, Salt River First Nation, Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Deninu Kue First Nation and Northwest Territories Me虂tis Nation.
Beyond partnership, the GNWT engaged in a formal consultation with Indigenous governments and conducted an external public review process for the proposed act.
After second reading, the proposed Forest Act will be subject to a maximum 120 day review period by a standing committee, where concerned parties can provide additional input on the proposed legislation.
