The chief of Dettah says he wants to see an agreement-in-principle on land, resources and self-government reached between the GNWT, federal government and Akaitcho Dene First Nations by 2018.

SA国际影视传媒淩ight now, weSA国际影视传媒檙e working out what they have to offer on the table,SA国际影视传媒� said Chief Edward Sangris. SA国际影视传媒淚 think weSA国际影视传媒檝e got the base to move forward, but there has to be a lot of reaching of common ground to achieve that.SA国际影视传媒�

The territorial government is working on resolving three outstanding land claims with the Dehcho First Nations, Akaitcho Dene First Nation and Northwest Territories Metis Nation.

In May, the GNWT tabled new offers to the Akaitcho Dene and NWT Metis.

The move came after two reports from ministerial representatives were released in April showing Indigenous groups were concerned with the slow pace of negotiations, some of which began in the 1990s.

SA国际影视传媒淪ince then, we also have work plans with the Akaitcho Dene and the Metis to reach an Akaitcho Dene agreement-in-principle and a Metis final agreement within 18 months,SA国际影视传媒� said Premier Bob McLeod.

He expressed optimism that SA国际影视传媒渟ubstantial progressSA国际影视传媒� can be made on the land claims before the end of the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 term in 2019.

However, Sangris said the parties want SA国际影视传媒渢wo different things.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e said we want so much land quantum and royalty and cash SA国际影视传媒� they turn around and give us what they offered,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

McLeod said he was unable to expand on SangrisSA国际影视传媒� comments because of the confidential nature of the negotiations.

However, he said he believes the offer presented to the Akaitcho and Metis SA国际影视传媒減rovides a lot of flexibility to identify a package that best meets their interest SA国际影视传媒� whether thatSA国际影视传媒檚 maximizing land quantum, maximizing the cash component or maximizing their share of resource revenues.SA国际影视传媒�

On the Dehcho First Nations process, McLeod said a letter was sent to the grand chief about a month and a half ago.

It was to inform the chief McLeod and federal minister Carolyn Bennett are committed to providing the Dehcho First Nation a revised offer within 45 days, subject to acknowledgement from the grand chief, said McLeod.

Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian did not respond to an interview request by press time.

If outstanding land claims can be settled, Sangris said it will provide greater certainty for industry in the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淭he economy of the North is dependent on the resources that come from our traditional territory,SA国际影视传媒� he said, explaining the current uncertainty can cause delays for mining companies and in environmental processes.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have to achieve the agreement-in-principle by 2018 and have certainty for our people and for future generations,SA国际影视传媒� said Sangris of the Akaitcho claim. SA国际影视传媒淭hose are the things that we need to keep in mind when weSA国际影视传媒檙e doing the negotiations.SA国际影视传媒�