Agreement-In-Principle Readied for Approval

Spring 2012 Vol. 14, Issue 1

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JANUARY, 2012 - NWTMN NEGOTIATIONS CAUCUS assembled in Yellowknife prior to the Main Table, left to right back row, NWTMN Executive Director Earl Jacobson, Legal Counsel Darwin Hanna; Fort Resolution Métis Council vice president Arthur Beck; Hay River Métis Government Council vice-president Wally Schumann, NWTMN president Betty Villebrun, Hay River Métis Government Council president Paul Harrington, Hay River representative Karen Lafferty, Fort Smith Métis Council president Ken Hudson, Legal Counsel Chaslynn Gillanders, Research & Communications ofﬁ cer Jim Green; seated, left to right, NWTMN secretary/treasurer Ann Lobb, Fort Smith Elder Archie Smith, NWTMN chief negotiator Jake Heron, Fort Resolution Elder Angus Beaulieu, Fort Smith Métis Council secretary/treasurer Allan Heron and Fort Resolution Métis Council secretary/treasurer Lloyd Cardinal. Agreement-in-Principle readied for approval

Fort Smith – NWTMN president government led to the initial- follow-up letter to an October on February 8. The Board re- the three Chief Negotiators will of Commissioners Land will be Betty Villebrun is fi nally breath- ling of a South Slave Métis 20, 2011 meeting in Ottawa, sponded by passing a unani- initial the AiP and the Parties withdrawn in Fort Resolution, ing a little easier these days. Framework Agreement in in which he confi rmed that mous resolution directing that: 1. can proceed with approval. Fort Smith and Hay River. This “The fi rst step of job one is January 1996. Negotiations “the amounts tabled in No- Jake Heron, as Chief Negotiator, NWTMN approval will land will not be available for de- about done,” sighs Villebrun, started in early 1997. So, fi f- vember 2009 are at the full is hereby authorized to accept include AiP consultation velopment or leasing. Aboriginal “and it feels pretty good.” teen years in the making, the extent of Canada’s mandate Canada’s offer dated Novem- sessions in the communities. and Metis harvesting can con- “Don’t get me wrong,” she NWTMN lands and resources and are Canada’s full and ber 17, 2009 on behalf of the A Special Assembly will be tinue on withdrawn lands. After hastens to add, “it wasn’t my AiP is almost a done deal. fi nal offer.” NWTMN; 2. The Negotiation called for the purpose of con- the AIP, the NWTMN will enter doing. The Métis Nation has as- Canada made its “offi cial” NWTMN chief negotiator Team fi nalize the Agreement sidering AiP approval. into land selection negotiations. sembled an outstanding support capital transfer, land, and re- Jake Heron informed the main in Principle for initialing by the Following NWTMN ap- Once the AiP is signed, ne- staff both here at headquarters sources royalty sharing offer table parties in Yellowknife respective Chief Negotiators. proval, the GNWT Cabinet will gotiations will start on self- and in the communities and our in November 2009. January 26, 2012 that he would Mr. Heron informed the main approve the AiP. After GNWT government, land selection and crack negotiations team has been be recommending the accep- table of the Board’s resolution approval, the federal govern- the Final Agreement. The Final consistently backed up by a del- Canada’s Full tance of Canada’s offer to the in March 2012. ment will approve the AiP. Agreement will recognize the egation of dedicated Elders,” she and Final Offer NWTMN Board of Directors. aboriginal rights of NWTMN said. “The Board of Directors The NWTMN AiP nego- AIP Approval Process Land Withdrawl members, including harvesting has been steadfastly support- tiations process was in an ad- Board of Once the AiP is completed, Prior to land selection, gov- rights, Métis land ownership, ive the whole way, as have the vanced stage of completion Director’s Resolution each of the Parties will proceed ernment has agreed to withdraw capital transfer, royalty sharing, delegates at our assemblies in late 2011. INAC Minister Mr. Heron subsequently with their internal acceptance 39,000 sq/km of land in the South consultation on development and over the years.” John Duncan wrote to the recommended the acceptance processes . When authorization Slave Region from disposition to IBA requirements, and manage- NWTMN January 10, 2012 a of Canada’s offer to the Board has been made by the Parties, third parties. Also, 693 hectares ment of land, water and wildlife. A Long Time Coming In 1982, the Constitution Act, 1982 offi cially opened the door for the Métis to be full and equal partners in the Dene/Métis negotiations process. The Dene and Métis of Negotiations on track in spite of court claim the NWT agreed to a separate structure to negotiate the Dene/Métis Comprehensive The Akaitcho Territory the recognition of aborigi- At the request of Canada and process and move forward not to consult with the First Land Claim with funding for Government (ATG) has nal rights of the NWTMN/ the Councils, the Court has or- with the ratifi cation of the Nations at the Agreement- in- a “Secretariat” coming from started a Federal Court case Councils; dered that the case be specially AiP. The NWTMN insists that Principle stage of negotiations. both organizations. to seek certain declarations c) declaration that the rec- managed by a case management Akaitcho rights do not trump Agreement could not be against Canada, the Fort ognition of aboriginal rights judge. The Court has not made Indigenous Métis rights. Sambaa K’e Case reached on the joint Dene/ Smith Métis Council and the of the NWTMN/Councils any orders to stop the NWTMN The Akaitcho case was com- The Court found that the Métis Final Agreement and Hay River Métis Government will be a violation of the ab- lands and resources negotia- menced after the Federal Court Crown had a duty to consult the process collapsed in July Council: including: original and treaty rights of tion process. Canada has com- released its decision for the at the Agreement-in-Principle 1990. Métis were left without a) “declaration that Canada the Akaitcho;” menced a consultation process Sambaa K’e Dene Band and stage: an avenue to pursue their goals has a duty to consult in respect with the ATG regarding the Nahanni Butte Dene Band v. “Canada has a legal and and aspirations. to the NWTMN negotiation Res. Métis Not Named NWTMN AiP. John Duncan et al., February constitutional duty to engage process; The ATG did not name the 10, 2012. This case was brought in immediate and substantive Framework b) declaration that Canada Fort Resolution Métis Coun- Process Defended by application for judicial discussions directly with the Agreement Signed has an obligation to ensure cil as they deemed them Dene The NWTMN is taking review of the decision by the SKDB and NBDB with respect Discussions between that the NWTMN/Coun- Descendants and eligible for steps to vigorously defend Minister of Indian Affairs and to the subjects of the land claim the Métis and the federal cils meet the Powley test for the Akaitcho claim process. the NWTMN negotiation Northern Development Canada with ADKFN...” The time !"#$% has come &'()*+,-()+.)/'()#+0/'1(2/)&(00,/+03)45/,2)#6/,+7 Box 720, Fort Smith, NT, X0E 0P0 Phone: (867) 872-2770 / Fax: (867) 872-2772 / Toll Free Phone: 1-866-872-6866 The South Slave Métis Framework Agreement; outlining the purpose, negotiation process, subject matters and Northwest Territory Métis Nation the timetable for negotiating the Agreement-in-Principle (AiP), was signed by the Métis Nation, the Government Executive President of the NWT and Canada on August 29, 1996. Betty Villebrun: 867-872-2770 • [email protected] The Métis Nation negotiations team collected and Vice President examined every modern lands and resources agreement Tammy Hunter: [email protected] Canada had signed with any aboriginal organization in the country. Once it became clear that Canada would Secretary-Treasurer insist the AiP mirror the original Déne/Métis agreement, Ann Lobb: 867-874-4470 • 867-874-4472 • [email protected] that agreement, plus the Gwich’in and Sahtu agreements were used along with certain aspects from other Métis Community Councils aboriginal agreements as well as some Métis specifi c features. Hay River President Paul Harrington: 867-874-4442 • 867-874-4472 • [email protected] Negotiations: How they worked Generally, one of the three parties at the main table Fort Resolution President would volunteer to “take the pen” on a certain chapter Garry Bailey: 867-394-4151 • 867-394-3322 • [email protected] and later table a draft. The draft would be debated, Fort Smith President sometimes word by word, until all three parties were Ken Hudson: 867-872-2643 • 867-872-5225 • fortsmithMé[email protected] comfortable with the wording. The Métis negotiations team regularly caucused before each main table to fi nalize their approach to whatever NWTMN Staff topics were coming to the table. Executive Director A long, hard rocky road Earl Jacobson: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-2772 • [email protected] There were several “pauses” to negotiations, Ministers Human Resources / ASETS Manager changed, chief negotiators changed, changes to federal Pearl Bird: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-2772 • [email protected] and territorial negotiating teams caused delays, and Canada’s simultaneous development of a “Métis policy” Career Counsellor drew the proceedings out. After several years of attempting Candace Mercredi: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-2772 • [email protected] to develop a national policy for Métis, and negotiate with Employment Offi cer – Yellowknife Offi ce the NWTMN, the federal government acknowledged in 2002 that it could not negotiate constitutionally protected [email protected] Métis rights. Canada concluded that while it was unable Cree Language Manager to negotiate a lands and resources agreement, it could Vance Sanderson: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-2772 • [email protected] negotiate a lands and resources contract with the NWTMN. The Workplan and schedule endorsed by the three Environment Manager parties February 2nd, 2006 provided for the resolution Tim Heron: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-2772 • [email protected] of all remaining key outstanding issues by the end of Environment Assistant / Clerk June, and for a draft AiP to be ready by December of 2006. Optimistic times. Diane Porter: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-2772 • [email protected] Canada made a capital transfer, land and resources AAROM Coordinator – Hay River and royalty sharing offer at the November 17-19th, 2009 Chris Heron: 867-874-4470 • Cell: 867-875-7350 • [email protected] main table negotiations in Fort Smith. In February of 2010, the NWTMN made a counter Finance Manager offer to Canada’s offer on capital transfer, land, and Ursula Vogt: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-3560 • fi [email protected] royalty resources sharing. Finance Clerk II Heading to the fi nish line Jennifer Heron: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-3560 • fi [email protected] The NWTMN AiP negotiations process was at an Receptionist / Travel Clerk advanced stage of completion in late 2011. The leader- Bev Pischinger: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-3560 • fi [email protected] ship was looking forward expectantly to a meeting with the Minister in October regarding a mandate change and discussions on the Métis counter offer of February NWTMN Negotiations Team 2010. At that meeting, the Minister heard the Métis appeal Hay River and said he would get back to the NWTMN in writing. Paul Harrington: 867-874-4471 • 867-874-4473 • [email protected] Minister John Duncan wrote a follow-up letter to the NWTMN January 10, 2012, in which he stated that “the Fort Resolution amounts tabled in November 2009 are at the full extent of Garry Bailey: 867-394-4151 • 867-394-3322 • [email protected] Canada’s mandate and are Canada’s full and fi nal offer.” Fort Smith The best possible deal Ken Hudson: 867-872-2643 • 867-872-5225 • fortsmithMé[email protected] At the NWTMN negotiations caucus in Yellowknife Chief Negotiator January 23, 2012, NWTMN chief negotiator Jake Heron informed the caucus that he would be announcing to the Jake Heron: 867-872-2770 • 867-872-2772 • [email protected] main table that very week that he intended to recommend to the NWTMN Board of Directors that the Métis Nation NWTMN Negotiations Staff accept Canada’s offer. He would do that, he said, because Receptionist / Legal Secretary he was convinced that the NWTMN negotiations team had done the job of negotiating the best deal possible. Arlene Mandeville: 867-872-4044 • 867-872-2404 • [email protected] NWTMN chief negotiator Jake Heron informed the main Research & Communications table parties of his decision in Yellowknife January 26, Jim Green: 867-872-4044 • 867-872-2404 • [email protected] 2012. The next Board meeting had been scheduled for February 8th and 9th, 2012. Community Field Workers What’s the alternative? Manager (Hay River) There is no alternative. Plain and simple. This is it. George Lafferty: 867-874-4442 • 867-874-4472 • [email protected] Take it or leave it. If the NWTMN walked away from this deal, that would be it. Period. Game over. Fort Resolution What you see is what you got. It’s time to get off the pot. Trudy King: 867-394-4151 • 867-394-3322 • [email protected]

!"#$% Spring 2012 Page 2 Lands and Resources A timeline of our quest: 1972-1994 !"#$ The Métis and Non-Status Indian Association of the Northwest Territories is founded in 1972 and the first General Assembly held ,-./0* in Hay River in January 1973. The Presidents of the Métis Locals are declared the Territorial Board of Directors and an Executive 1-23/.4 chosen, answerable to the Board. Dave McNabb of Hay River is the first president. 56/78* !"#% 978/-.4 A joint meeting of the Boards of the then Indian Brotherhood of the NWT (IBNWT), now the Déne Nation, and the then Métis and Non-Status !&&( Native Association of the NWT is held in 1974 to discuss the possibilities Pierre Hudon dit Beaulieu ar- of a joint northern approach to an Aboriginal Rights and Land Claim rived in la Nouvelle France from settlement. Anjou, France. He married Marie In July 1974, the IBNWT and the Métis Association of the NWT agree to Gobeil at Quebec City in 1676. make a single joint claim on behalf of all native people of the Mackenzie Valley in the western NWT, claiming title to 450,000 square miles of land. !#$+ Francois Beaulieu, son of Pierre Hudon dit Beaulieu and !"#& Marie (Gobeil), married Marie- The 1976 Assembly in Fort Smith decides that the Métis Association of Angelique Emond and their the Northwest Territories would remain a separate organization apart from son Francois was baptised at the Déne Nation for the purposes of negotiating a Land Claim settlement. La Pocatiere in 1723.

MÉTIS NATION PRESIDENT JIM BOURQUE and Bob Stevenson !#&) !"#' at the Constitutional Conference in Yellowknife, January 1982. New-France closed its western Discussions between the Déne and Métis are still underway in 1978 Bourque chaired the Commission of Constitutional Development in trading posts. Francois Beaulieu over whether or not there should be an “umbrella” structure established the Western NWT in 1992. Stevenson followed Bourque as president told father Petitot that several to negotiate a joint claim. of the Nation in 1982. homme libre (free men) made their way to Great Slave even before !"#" 1760. These included: Beaulieu, At a Joint Assembly at Fort Resolution in 1979, Déne Chiefs and Métis Poitras, Cayen, Le Camarade de Local Presidents agree that there would be no umbrella structure but that Mandeville, Lafl eur, Charlois, the two organizations would continue to exist separately. freres Tourangeau and others. !##' Peter Pond is guided over !"'$ the Methyé Portage, down The door opens for Métis to fully participate in the federal Land Claim the Clearwater and Athabasca process under section 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982, which stated rivers, to build a post on the that “the existing Aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized Athabasca River. and affi rmed”. And section 35(2), which defi ned Aboriginal peoples to include “the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada”. !#'& The Déne and Métis of the NWT agree to a separate structure to ne- Grant built “Slave Fort” on gotiate the Déne/Métis Comprehensive Land Claim with funding for a the south shore of Great Slave “Secretariat” coming from both organizations. Bob Overvold is appointed Lake.Leroux built a post for as the Chief Negotiator and a Joint Executive is established. his company close by. *!#'" !"'( Alexander Mackenzie is pad- The Canadian Parliament passes Bill C-31, “An Act to Amend the Indian dled down his “River of Disap- Act”, taking effect April 17, 1985. The act, among other things, allowed pointment” to the Beaufort Sea some Métis to become Status Indians. by voyageurs: Francois Beau- lieu I, Charles Doucette, Joseph !"'' Landry and Pierre De Lorme. On September 5, 1988, the Déne/Métis and the federal government sign MÉTIS NATION PRESIDENT MIKE PAULETTE (far right) signed !#"+ an Agreement-in-Principle on the joint Land Claim. The historic event takes the Dene/Métis Agreement-in-Principle in Fort Rae, September 1988. Francois Beaulieu and Jo- place in Fort Rae with president Mike Paulette signing on behalf of the Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, seated front centre, signed on behalf seph Landry were among those Métis Nation. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney signs on behalf of Canada. of Canada. who paddled Alexander Mack- enzie to the Pacifi c Ocean and !"") back to Fort Chipewyan. A Final Déne/Métis Agreement is initialed April 9, 1990 and is brought be- !#"" fore a joint Assembly for ratifi cation in July 1990. Agreement could not be Francois Beaulieu was a post reached regarding the ‘extinguishment clause’ in the document. The Déne and hunter for the North West Co. Métis of the Gwich’in and Sahtu regions leave the Assembly and shortly begin at Great Bear Lake on the north work on negotiating regional claims along the 1990 Final Agreement model. shore of the Keith Arm. Canada announces on November 7, 1990, that it would negotiate regional claims with the Déne and Métis of the fi ve regions in the Mack- !')+ enzie Valley on the basis of the initialed April 9, 1990, agreement. The HBC built a shack they called “Chiswick House” on the Slave River 25 miles south !""$ of the big lake. A Comprehensive Land Claim is signed with the Gwich’in on April 22, 1992 in which Métis people were included as Gwich’in in the agreement. With the Treaty 8 and Salt River First Nation Déne pursuing Treaty Land En- !'!( titlement, all of the Métis of the region who were originally included under the Aulay McAulay opened a 1990 Déne/Métis Agreement are left with no means to address their concerns. store for the Bay at Fort Reso- lution but it only operated for a few weeks until the NWC !""%* roughians ran him out. South Slave Métis, comprised of the indigenous Métis of Fort Smith, Hay River and Fort Resolution, the largest group of Métis included in the for- !'!& mer Déne/Métis process, unite under the umbrella of the South Slave Métis THE DENE/MÉTIS FINAL AGREEMENT did not pass at the Francois Beaulieu was hired as Tribal Council (SSMTC). The SSMTC enters into discussions with Canada assembly at Detah July 1990 because of the aboriginal rights an interpreter by the North West (Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development – DIAND) on extinguishment clause it contained. Harry Daniels, black hat and Co. but quit in disgust when he Métis specifi c proposals that lead to the submission of a draft framework Métis Nation president Gary Bohnet, blue shirt, attempted to save was asked to kill John Clarke. agreement for Ministerial consideration in November 1994. the process, to no avail.

Page 3 Spring 2012!!!"#$%& -./01+ South Slave Métis Framework Métis, Canada and GNWT sign an -./01+ 2.340/5 2.340/5 67089+ Agreement Signed, 1996 interim measures agreement, 2002 67089+ :890./5 :890./5 !"!# Fort Smith - The South Slave a new relationship based on trust Fort Smith – An Interim Measures 1854 Métis Framework Agreement; and mutual respect,” said Ronald Agreement was signed in Fort Smith The HBC built a new post op- Francois Beaulieu showed outlining the purpose, negotiation A. Irwin, Minister of Indian Af- June 22 by South Slave Métis Tribal posite the NWC post on Moose Chief Factor James Ander- process, subject matters and gen- fairs and Northern Development Council (SSMTC) President Robert Deer Island. William Brown was son a route around the Pelican eral timetable for negotiating an (DIAND). “The federal govern- Tordiff, Department of Indian and a HBC clerk and Francois Man- (now Mountain) Rapids on the Agreement-in-Principle (AiP) was ment is committed to the reso- Northern Affairs (DIAND) Minister deville also worked for the Bay. Slave River. signed by the South Slave Métis lution of concerns and interests Robert Nault, and Government of the !"$! Tribal Council, the Government of Métis in the Northwest Terri- Northwest Territories (GNWT) Minis- 1855 John Franklin, sent by the of the NWT and Canada on August tories who have been left out of ter of Aboriginal Affairs Jim Antoine. 29, 1996. a regional comprehensive land “Protection of the land, water and Baptiste “le Camarade” de British government to locate the Mandeville established a HBC northwest passage, was paddled The South Slave Métis Tribal claim.” John Sinclair, assistant resources that we use to support our Council is made up of the indige- deputy minister for DIAND’s way of life has always been of para- meat supply outpost at Fort north by Akaitcho (Gros Pied) Reliance. and friends to explore the Cop- nous Métis of the South Slave who Claims and Indian Government mount importance to us,” said SSMTC permine River. Francois Beau- had previously been left without an sector attended the signing on President Robert Tordiff. “This agree- 1856 lieu, with the help of Black Meat, avenue to pursue their interests and behalf of Minister Irwin. ment will enable Métis principles and concerns following the collapse of “It gives me great pleasure to values to be given due consideration Francois Beaulieu had left the drew the map that Franklin used HBC and moved to Salt River. to get to the Arctic coast. Pierre the Déne/Métis process and the com- sign the Framework Agreement early in the government’s decision making process for activities proposed St. Germain and Jean Batiste mencement of the various regional and lend support to a process 1857 Mandeville both guided and in- First Nations lands and resources that guarantees the settlement in our region. We see this as a posi- Francois, Joseph King and terpreted for John Franklin and negotiations. of Métis interests in the South tive step in our continuing efforts to Antoine Beaulieu made a trip lived to tell about it. George Kurszewski, negotiator Slave area,” said Jim Antoine, build a new and respectful relation- and spokesperson for the South Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, ship with Canada and the GNWT.” to Red River to trade his furs. AMALGAMATION: Doing Slave Métis Tribal Council, com- JOHN SINCLAIR, LEFT, ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER FOR Government of the Northwest The Interim Measures Agreement battle was costing too much so mented. “We have arrived at a sig- DIAND’S CLAIMS AND INDIAN GOVERNMENT SECTOR, signed Territories. will provide the South Slave Métis The Beaulieu family was seen the HBC and the NWC joined nifi cant milestone in the history of the South Slave Métis Framework Agreement on behalf of Minister Ron- In addressing the concerns and with a systematic process for their SEATED AT THE INTERIM MEASURES AGREEMENT SIGNING TABLE in the Roaring Rapids Hall as a serious threat to the Bay’s forces. HBC head Poo-Bah Métis people with the signing of ald Irwin August 29, 1996. Other signatories included South Slave Métis interests of the South Slave Métis involvement in development activi- June 22, 2002, left to right; GNWT Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Jim Antoine, DIAND Minister Robert Nault , fur trade mafi a. In 1857, Mack- George Simpson was named this Framework Agreement. The Tribal Council Chief Negotiator George Kurszewski, Fort Resolution in the NWT, the South Slave ties proposed for the Interim Mea- and SSMTC President Robert Tordiff. Witnesses to the signing, standing, left to right, were: Richard Bargery, enzie district Godfather James to take charge of the Northern framework provides a mechanism Community Negotiator and Secretary/Treasurer of the Tribal Council Vi- Métis Tribal Council (SSMTC) sures Agreement Area. Interim mea- GNWT; the Honorable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Canada; and George Kurszewski, SSMTC Chief Negotiator. Anderson sent a letter to Robert Campbell at Fort Chipewyan Department. through which we can fi nally reach olet Beaulieu and Tribal Council President Paul Harrington. Framework Agreement provides sures are temporary arrangements agreement on how we will share for a two-stage negotiation pro- introduced to afford a measure of The Interim Measures Agreement for each type of application will be opportunity to voice their views on suggesting that a post be es- our lands and resources with all The President of the Métis Nation, “The signing of the South Slave cess. The first stage will be the protection to Aboriginal interests will lead to the creation of a pre- outlined in Schedules that will be activities being planned in the South tablished at Salt River for the !"$%&$' purpose of watching Beaulieu Francois Beaulieu II, with his Canadians, while at the same time Gary Bohnet, said, “The Frame- Métis Tribal Council Framework negotiation of land, economic during the period that an agreement screening process where the South developed over the next few months. Slave region, while they continue family, spent the winter at Fort providing the tools necessary for work Agreement presents both an Agreement refl ects the commit- benefits, programs and services. is being negotiated. Temporary ar- Slave Métis will review applications DIAND Minister Nault is pleased negotiating toward a fi nal agreement. and of starving him to submis- Franklin as John Franklin’s in- our communities to grow and de- opportunity to take control of our ment of the federal government, The second stage will be the ne- rangements of this nature are made for various licences, permits, and with this recent progress. “The I am also looking forward to signing sion by occupying his fi sheries – which are limited – and by terpreter and hunter on Frank- velop as a unique part of Canadian own destiny and the challenge to the Northwest Territories and the gotiation of a self-government within the framework of existing dispositions of lands. The precise Interim Measures Agreement an AIP with the South Slave Métis employing Indians to kill all lin’s second expedition. Beaulieu society.” do it right.” South Slave Métis people to build agreement. federal and territorial legislation. nature of the pre-screening process gives the South Slave Métis an in the near future.” the animals in the vicinity of married Catherine St. Germain, Salt River. Nice folks. daughter of Pierre St. Germain, a ‘Red River’ Métis who had come north in 1812 with the Northwest A timeline of our quest: 1997-2006 1858 Company. Charles Phillip Gaudet en- 1997 2002 tered the HBC service in 1851, !"(( The federal Cabinet approves the mandate for Métis negotiations on April after his appointment as Minister. Minister Nault names Tim Christian as Canada appointed Eric Maldoff as the new chief federal negotiator spending several years in Fort Baptiste Le Camerade de 15, eight months after the signing of the Framework Agreement. Jane Stewart interim chief federal negotiator on the Métis fi le on July 30. in January of 2002 to fi ll the gap left by the resignation of Delia Ope- Yukon. In 1857-58 he was post- Mandeville, who interpreted becomes the new DIAND Minister in June. Formal negotiations commence kokew in April 2000. Chief territorial negotiator Bob Patterson retired master at Big Island and in for Franklin’s fi rst expedition, immediately with sessions held in Yellowknife and Ottawa in May, June in 2000 in February, 2002, effectively slowing the process down while the new 1858-59 he went to Fort Res- helped Captain George Back Hay River and September in Hay River and Fort Resolution. On April 18, a federal press release announces the appointment of Delia GNWT negotiator, Tim O’Loan, entered a learning curve to become olution. “He married a Métis build Fort Reliance. Opekokew as the new chief federal negotiator for the SSMTC process. The familiar with the fi le. woman, Mary Fisher, and had As the Métis did not receive its loan funding until late August of 1997, fi rst negotiations session with the new negotiator is held in Yellowknife a large family.” !"() negotiations were necessarily of a low key, protracted nature to that point. in June. A Lands Side Table is established separate from the Main Table. The NWTMN hosted an Open House in Yellowknife March 21 to Captain Back was paddled to Once funded, the process kicks into high gear. Further negotiations are The parties develop a negotiations workplan to reach an AiP by June 2001 update its northern members living in Yellowknife on the negotiations 1859 the Arctic coast on a relief expe- conducted in Ottawa and Fort Smith in October, Yellowknife in November and possibly a Final Agreement the following year. process and progress. Catholic Métis of Fort Res- dition to rescue Arctic explorer and Edmonton in December. The October Ottawa session saw the initialling olution demonstrated the im- John Ross. Back met “le Cama- of the fi rst AIP Chapter “Eligibility”, at Meech Lake on October 9. The SSMTC continues to monitor interim land protection while the The South Slave Métis Tribal Council offi cially changed the name of portance they placed on edu- rade de Mandeville” on the Salt federal government continues to issue land leases in the Métis traditional the organization to the Northwest Territory Métis Nation in July, 2002. cation by sending eight chil- River on his way north. 1998 territory under negotiation. dren to Fort Simpson to attend By June, it becomes apparent that federal policy barriers are creating NWTMN delegations met with Deh Cho and Dogrib negotiators in Rev. W.W. Kirkby’s Anglican !")% diffi culties at the negotiations table to the point where the usefulness of Elections at an October Annual General Assembly saw Robert Tordiff November to discuss overlap issues. school, the only school in the Francois Beaulieu took his further talks is in question. Federal and territorial mandate limitations named president, Cecil Lafferty, vice president and Frederick Beaulieu, THE NWTMN NEGOTIATIONS TEAM caucusing at main table north country. family to Portage la Loche to visit prevent meaningful discussions on harvesting and governance aspects secretary-treasurer. Tordiff replaced the original and long-time president After several years of attempting to develop a national policy for negotiations in June of 2005. Father Jean-Baptiste Thibault. of lands and resources. Treaty Land Entitlement talks with First Nations Paul Harrington of Hay River. Métis, and negotiate in good faith with the NWTMN, the federal 1863 are also impacting Métis negotiations. government acknowledged that it could not negotiate constitutionally In a desperate move to shut !")* 2001 protected Métis rights, whatever those rights might be. Having made 2005 down Francois Beaulieu’s trad- The Mercredi family from The chief federal negotiator Philippe Doré is called to the Nisga’a First By April, 25 chapters of the AiP had been tabled and the fi nal two this admission, Canada concluded that while it was unable to negotiate a The parties initial a new work plan in late July that calls for negotia- ing competition, the HBC built Maskininge, Quebec, arrived Nation fi le in June and is subsequently absent on leave, resulting in no were in the works. Then, 11 months after being appointed, chief federal lands and resources agreement, it could negotiate a lands and resources tions to resolve the key outstanding issues on the AiP. a post at Salt River and hired in the north in the person of Jo- negotiations for four straight months. negotiator Delia Opekokew chooses to resign from her position as leader contract with the NWTMN. The contract, Canada agreed, would be him to take charge of it; which seph Mercredi who landed in Fort of the federal negotiations team. Negotiations came to a halt once more. without prejudice to Métis Aboriginal rights in the future. Canada and the GNWT concludes an Interim Land Withdrawal Pro- he did until his death. Accord- Chipewyan with Father Tache in The Sahtu Déne/Métis agreement of September 6, 1998, refers explicitly The Lands Side Table, with Bill Megill as senior federal negotiator, con- tocol with the Akaitcho Dene First Nations on November 21, without ing to trader W. Cornwallis 1847. Joseph worked at the new to the Déne and Métis people. tinues to meet throughout 2001. Paula Isaac took over from Bill Megill as the senior federal negotiator consulting the NWTMN, whose land and resource interests overlap with King, the HBC gave Beaulieu Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs at the main table for Canada in April of this year. that of the Akaitcho Dene First Nations. a grant of land “beside the mission at Fond du Lac, later 1999 Canada signs the Deh Cho Framework Agreement, the Deh Cho [salt] springs” in exchange for being employed by the Bay as an In an attempt to fi nd creative solutions to the bogged Métis process in Interim Measures Agreement May 23 and the Akaitcho Interim Mea- The NWTMN president and chief negotiator met with Akaitcho Chiefs The Métis negotiation team hosts an information session in Edmonton Beaulieu supplying salt to the interpreter, clerk and postmaster January 1999, the SSMTC play a lead role in drafting a Memorandum sures Agreement June 28. to discuss overlap issues. on December 17th, at which the Chief Negotiator updated the membership Company. at various posts between. of Intent (MOI) to synchronize the Métis and northern First Nations on the negotiations process. Over 100 people are in attendance. processes. By April, federal offi cials are still working on an approach DIAND Executive Advisor Caroline Davis meets with the NWTMN 2003 1872 !"''+,+!"#( for the NWTMN that would address the interests of all parties. This attempt team in Yellowknife in September to help draft a new workplan for The NWTMN Leadership makes repeated overtures to the Deh Cho 2006 The HBC built “The Rap- Francois Beaulieu made a trip at an alternative approach to the Métis process resulted in another seven Main Table negotiations. The most positive negotiations progress to be First Nations to resolve overlap and to discuss forthcoming Interim The Workplan and schedule endorsed by the three parties on February ids” trading post at “Thebat- to Fort Chipewyan to visit with months with no negotiations on the actual AiP. made in many months was the October 25 meeting in Hay River that Resources Development Agreements (signed April 17, 2003) between 2nd, provides for the resolution of all remaining key outstanding issues chi”, the head of the rapids, Father Alexander Taché. saw agreement on a Métis Negotiations Workplan, a month-by-month the Deh Cho First Nations, Canada and GNWT. by the end of June, and for a draft AiP to be ready by December of 2006. called Steamboat Landing then In July, the DIAND Minister Stewart writes to the Métis Nation calling agenda for addressing all chapters of the AiP. Smith’s Landing and later yet +!")" for a short “pause” in negotiations. The pause lasts eleven months; result- In June 18 Denesuline from northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba The North Arm Métis Council, comprised of the indigenous Métis (1915) renamed Fort Fitzgerald. Francois Beaulieu was baptised ing, again, in no main table AiP negotiations. During that time, Canada Main Table negotiations on an AiP, with Bill Megill as Canada’s senior travel to Lutselk’e to attend the Akaitcho assembly to ask Akaitcho residing north of Great Slave Lake, holds its inaugural Assembly in September 25 at Ile à la Crosse by signs an MOI with the Smith’s Landing First Nation on June 23. federal negotiator, once again resumed in Fort Smith on November 20, Treaty 8 leaders to consider sharing land and resources in an agreed Yellowknife March 21. 1874 Father Taché. His fi rst wife Cath- after another break of seven months. area of overlap so the Denesuline can negotiate a lands and resources Joseph King Beaulieu was erine (St. Germain) was baptised A new Deputy Minister of DIAND and several new senior offi cials are agreement north of 60. NWTMN negotiations team in discussion at October main table in 2005. contracted to build Fort Smith at Christmas, and on December named to the department in June 1999. Both chief federal negotiator Philippe President of the NWTMN Robert Tordiff and the GNWT Minister at “Thebatcha”, the foot of the 30 their marriage received the Doré and the assistant negotiator on the Métis fi le accept positions with other of Aboriginal Affairs Jim Antoine sign a political accord November 23 The NWTMN continues to make overtures to address overlap issues The November Annual General Assembly sees the election of a new rapids where he served as post- blessing of the Church. departments. An August Cabinet shuffl e saw the naming of a new DIAND formalizing the commitment of the two governments to recognize and with Akaitcho First Nations, whose land interests overlap with Métis Métis Nation executive: Vern Jones, president Arthur Beck, vice presi- master from 1874 until 1883. Minister. Métis negotiators meet with Minister Robert Nault twice shortly respect one another government to government. land interests. dent and Betty Villebrun, secretary-treasurer.

!"#$% Spring 2012 Page 4 Page 5 Spring 2012&&&!"#$% )*+,-. Fort Smith lawyer Shannon Cumming /*01,+2 34,56. named Chief Negotiator, 2007 756,*+2 Fort Smith – Shannon Cumming Jones said. “Based upon Shan- !""# was appointed Chief Negotiator for non’s performance in engaging Joseph King Beaulieu was the Northwest Territory Métis na- government on these issues, I sent to the east arm of Great tion (NWTMN) at a Board meet- am confident that he will bring Slave Lake to open ‘King Post’ ing in Fort Smith Wednesday, Oct. about a timely resolution of these for the HBC at Fond du Lac. 17, 2007. negotiations.” Joseph and his brother Pierre The NWTMN is currently ne- Mr. Cumming said he was Beaulieu later moved to Fort gotiating a land and resources honored to accept the position. Vermilion. Pierre’s oldest son, Agreement-in-Principle with the “We have been on this trail for Paul, later yet returned to Salt Government of the Northwest many years,” he said, “Our team River. Liza Schaefer remem- Territories and the Government is committed to a new of way of bered Paul King’s arrival: “He of Canada. In April of this year, doing business at the negotiations [Paul King Beaulieu] came Canada decided not to renew the table to bring about a fair and here [Salt River] with fi ve of contracts of many Chief Fed- just resolution of Métis issues. his children. Suze King, Mar- eral Negotiators, including the Being at the negotiations table, I guerite, Jean, François and an- Chief Federal Negotiator for the understand the issues and I intend other little girl. After he got NWTMN process. Due to the to represent the best interests of married [to Sophie Jolibois], he lack of a Chief Federal Nego- the NWTMN. I am optimistic made his home in Salt River. tiator, Métis negotiations were that the agreement is in sight.” Later Suze King married my effectively paused until Canada Mr. Cumming was called to mother, and we moved to Salt named a new Chief Federal Ne- the bar in the NWT in August of River, too.” gotiator in July. 1996 and has worked exclusively With the appointment of John as a staff lawyer with Métis or- !""$ Klassen as the new Chief Federal ganizations since that time. He The HBC launched the Negotiator, Métis negotiations have is a member of the NWTMN and steam driven paddle wheeler resumed. During this time, the lead- was born in Fort Smith. He holds “Grahame” at Fort Chipewyan. ership of the NWTMN had the op- SHANNON CUMMING, formerly Legal Counsel to the NWTMN for a diploma in Community and portunity to assess the progress of ten years, was appointed Chief Negotiator by the Board of Directors Regional Planning from Mount !""% negotiations. Wednesday, October 17, 2007. Royal College, a Bachelor of Arts Continuing the innovation Vern Jones, former president in Geography from the University of of steamboat transportation of the NWTMN, announced that and his ten years direct experience are a complicated process in- Calgary and a Bachelor of Laws into northern waters, the HBC Mr. Cumming was a perfect per- as a member of the Métis negotia- volving complex legal and real from the University of British built and launched the “Wrig- son for the position, saying he was tions team. community issues that require Columbia. ley” at Smith. eminently qualifi ed based upon his “Negotiations to reconcile the a disciplined approach, care- He is married with two teenaged !""& legal counsel role for the NWTMN NWTMN interests in the NWT ful consideration and strategy.” children. The Northwest Resistance of 1885 was a shameful page in Canadian history. The Métis were backed into a corner so- cially, politically, economi- A timeline of our quest: 2007-2009 cally. They had been repeat- edly marginalized by an uncar- 2007 ing federal government until NWTMN representatives meet with senior offi cials from Canada in they couldn’t take it anymore late February and again in early March to discuss concerns with the and had no choice but to resist. sudden cancellation of the February main table and to get an under- standing of the federal table review process underway. The NWTMN !"'$ is appraised of the new accountability requirements in the federal system An Act for the Preservation in the wake of the Gomery Inquiry and the new accountability legislation of game in the Unorganized in Parliament. Portions of the Northwest Ter- ritories of Canada came into NWTMN president Vern Jones expresses public concern that the force. The NWMP, with the lack of a chief federal negotiator on the Métis fi le is costing the Métis nearest detachment 600 miles Nation time and money. Eric Maldoff, a Montreal-based (Liberal) away, were charged with en- lawyer and chief federal negotiator since 1995, did not have his con- forcing the Act. tract renewed after March 31. Negotiations had been cancelled in February and postponed for April and May. Canada appoints John The HBC trader at Fort Rae Klassen chief federal negotiator in July. There was, however, a fi ve “was replaced in 1893 by Joe month gap in negotiations as main table did not resume until October Hodgson, himself a Red River 10 in Hay River. Métis who had served as fac- THREE PASSIONATE WOMEN WERE SWEPT INTO OFFICE tor at Fort McPherson.” A federal Cabinet shuffl e in August resulted in the naming of a new as the delegates at the Annual General Assembly chose their leaders Minister, the Hon. Chuck Strahl. in an historic election in Hay River November 6, 2008. Betty Villebrun !"'% of Fort Smith was elected president, Tammy Hunter of Fort Resolution The RC Church launched The Parties reached agreement on an Interim Land Withdrawal Protocol vice president and Hay River’s Ann Lobb secretary treasurer. the propeller driven “St. Al- at the October main table. phonse” at Fort Smith. 2009 2008 !"'( The NWT Métis Nation Interim Land Withdrawal Protocol is signed NWTMN representatives meet Manitoba and Saskatchewan Denesuline The Klondike gold rush by the Parties in February. in Yellowknife March 30. stampede got under way with a recorded 885 (1897- A Special Assembly is held in Hay River in April; discussing various NWTMN Chief Negotiator Shannon Cumming chose to advance his 98) wild-eyed seekers of gold models for structuring the Métis Nation, including the allocation of voting legal career with the Government of the Northwest Territories and is streaming down the Mack- delegates from the communities. now with the Department of Justice. The Board of Directors named Jake enzie Valley route. James Heron as Chief Negotiator in November. walker advised Minister of The Parties reach agreement on the wording for the draft land selection the Interior and Superinten- criteria at main table in June. An updated version of the Land Side Table Canada makes a capital transfer, land and resource royalty sharing dent-General of Indian Af- Protocol was signed in July. offer at the November 17-19th 2009 main table negotiations in Fort Smith. fairs by letter that: “no time should be lost by the Govern- NWTMN president Vern Jones resigns his position in Septem- Cash: $66.4 million ment in making treaty with ber. The Board of Directors named Betty Villebrun as president. Land: Surface 25,194 sq. km./Subsurface 1,133 sq. km. these Indians for their rights Arthur Beck remained vice president and Tammy Hunter secretary Resource Royalties: 4.56% of 1st $2 million / 0.912% after 1st $2 million over this territory. They will – treasurer. be more easily dealt with now The NWTMN responded to Canada`s offer by asking fi fteen related than they would when their The NWTMN hosts an information session for its southern mem- questions, which Canada provided written responses to in time for country is overrun with pros- bers in Edmonton in December, presenting an oral report by the the December 15 -17th 2009 main table negotiations in Edmonton. The pectors and valuable mines chief negotiator, a written report and a recent copy of the newsletter NWTMN committed to making a counter offer in the spirit of negotiations be discovered.” WINGS. The chief negotiator fi elds questions at an open question in spite of the fact that Canada had made it plain that the offers were not period afterwards. negotiating positions; but the maximums allowed under Canada’s mandate.

!"#$% Spring 2012 Page 6 '()*+, -(./*)0 12*34, 534*()0 !"## Treaty 8 was signed at Smith’s Landing on July 17. When the treaty party was in Fort Vermilion, Joseph King Beaulieu took treaty, “then repented, almost ﬂ inging his payment in our face and de- manding scrip instead.” !#$$ Treaty 8 signed at Fort Res- olution on July 25. !#!! The ﬁ rst six Buffalo Rang- ers were hired. Among the early rangers were Pierre Gladue, Charlie Bird, Char- lie Cooper, Jack Sutherland, Larry Clarke, Tom Campbell, THE MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN DENESULINE AND THE NWTMN hold several overlapping meetings in 2008. An initial over- Hugh McDermott, Jack Taylor, lap meeting is also held with the Katlodeechee First Nation in May of that year. D’Arcy Arden, Gus D’Aaot, Alec Berens and Bill Schaefer.

Billy McNeil and John A timeline of our quest: 2010 Bloomfi eld arrive in north with Labrador reindeer. 2010 The NWTMN informs the main table in January that it was reviewing the NWTMN urges Canada to enhance its mandate because the !#!" Draft East Arm National Park Métis Framework Agreement and would Métis people should be treated fairly and equitably; noting also that Isidore Mercredi hauled the make comments directly to Parks Canada. Canada has the power to fund development. Canada welcomes the last scow over the Smith Por- counteroffer but reiterates that its 2009 offer was at the full value tage using horses and a wagon. In February of 2010 the NWTMN makes a counter offer to Canada’s of its mandate. latest offer (of November 2009) on capital transfer, land and royalty !#%$ resources sharing in the spirit of negotiations in spite of the fact that The NWTMN also announces at the February main table that it is Imperial Oil brings in 100 Canada had made it plain that its offers were not negotiating positions; seeking a meeting with Parks Canada to discuss some ``fundamental barrel a day well at Norman but the maximums allowed under Canada’s mandate. differences`` regarding the approach to an East Arm National Park Wells and the federal govern- Framework Agreement (including funding available). ment suddenly gets keenly A SUMMARY TABLE: interested in signing a treaty At a meeting in Ottawa June 23, the NWTMN requests that the with northern Indians. ITEM CANADIAN OFFER Minister of INAC obtain a new mandate for land quantum, capital transfer, mineral royalties, certainty and eligibility. !#%! Treaty 11 was signed in Land 25,194 sq kms There was a change in Chief Negotiators by Canada with the departure the Mackenzie valley. The Quantum Incl: 1,133 sq kms federal Government arrives subsurface title of Mr. John Klassen, who was replaced with Mr. Bernard Funston at the November main table. in force in the north, estab- lishing headquarters in Fort Land in WBNP No offer The NWTMN holds its Annual General Assembly in November Smith, with Gordon Cumming resulting in a whole raft of resolutions to guide the Métis Nation as Administrator. in the coming year. The Assembly also saw the return of the same Capital $66.4 million slate of executive as had been in place: Betty Villebrun, president; !#%% Transfer (2009 dollars) Tammy Hunter, vice president; Ann Lobb, secretary-treasurer. Wood Buffalo Dominion Park was created to protect a estimated 500 Wood Buffalo Economic During discussion on the proposed Thaidene Nene (East Arm) national park reserve on the December main table, the NWTMN tells Parks “from poaching by White trap- Development No offer Canada technical advisor that the NWTMN has not been adequately pers.” “While Treaty 8 Indi- Fund consulted about the reserve. ans were allowed to continue hunting and trapping within Resource 4.56% on fi rst The NWTMN is pinning high hopes on the meeting with the Minister the park, White trappers were Royalties $2 million in December in regard to a mandate change and other key issues but excluded immediately. How unfortunately the Minister was unavoidably unavailable. Although Métis trappers should be 0.912% on any the Métis contingent met with the Minister’s Chief of Staff in Ot- treated was not clear.” “Métis additional royalties tawa, David McArthur, the face to face meeting with the Minister access to the park was banned himself did not occur and nothing raised at that meeting is resolved. after the fi rst year.”

Early Wardens in Wood Buffalo National Park included Isidore Mercredi, Charlie Bird, Alex Berens, Philip Bourque, Tom Camp- bell, Leonard Cardinal, Law- rence Clarke, Gus D’Aoust, Peter Tomkins, and the broth- ers Colin, Robert and Walter Wylie. !#%& The decision was made to ship buffalo contaminated with Tuberculosis and bovine Brucellosis from Wainwright Buffalo Park north to Wood Buffalo National Park. Be- tween 1925 and 1927 some 6,673 buffalo from Wain- BOB OVERVOLD CONTINUES TO ASSIST THE NWTMN in its efforts THE NWTMN presents its proposed Community Land Withdrawal maps wright were sent north. to open dialogue and resolve overlapping land issues with its neighbours. to the Government of the NWT on historic Mission Island in June 2010.

Page 7 Spring 2012!!!"#$%& *+,-./ 0+12-,3 45-67/ 867-+,3 !"#$ Wood Buffalo Park expanded by an additional 6,800 square miles. Access regulations to the “new” (expanded) park were granted to anyone who had hunted and trapped in the an- nexed region in 1926. !"%% DEVOLUTION AIP SIGNED: Hay River Métis Government Council president Paul Harrington, NWT Premier Floyd Roland, NWT Métis According the HBC “Mocca- Nation president Betty Villebrun, Fort Resolution Métis Council vice president Arthur Beck, and Fort Smith Métis Council president Ken Hudson sin Telegraph”, “Fort Fitzgerald signed the Agreement-in-Principle on devolution in Yellowknife, February 9, 2011. It had previously been signed by the Premier, Chair of the was completely destroyed by fi re. Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Nellie Cournoyea and Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis It was again destroyed by fi re in and Non-Status Indians, John Duncan. 1959, and fi nally closed in 1965.” !"%$ Archie Mandeville went north across Great Slave Lake to stake gold claims around Yellowknife in 1936. “There were a few guys that come across the lake from Rocher River using my dogs: Ed Demelt, Alec Loutitt, Willy McSwain, Maurice King, Pierre Rib.” !"&' Eugene Mercredi signed up with the Canadian Armed Forces and fought overseas in World War II. “There were four of us from here [the Fort Smith area], and we all came back. There was Maurice Evans Sr., Frank McLeod and August Beaulieu.” While living in Yellowknife in 1941 Archie Mandeville volun- teered as well. !"&# As part of the World War II LAND WITHDRAWAL NEGOTIATIONS continued throughout 2011 AT AN NWTMN NEGOTIATIONS CAUCUS in Yellowknife January Canol Project, 1,500 American with respect to Rural Lands and Commissioner’s Lands. 23, 2012, NWTMN chief negotiator Jake Heron informed the caucus that troops of 388th Engineer Bat- he would be announcing to the main table that very week he would talion arrived on the beach at be recommending to the Board of Directors that the NWTMN accept Fort Fitzgerald and began mov- ing 55,000 tons of equipment over the Smith portage. Many northern Métis took advantage A timeline of our quest: 2011-2012 of the jobs available on the Canol project; including Pete Fraser, Ed Lafferty, Joe and Céline 2011 Lafferty, Morris Lafferty, Ned Outstanding issues in the rolling draft of the AiP continued to be dealt Fraser, Cecile Tourangeau, Cece with successfully at main table over the year. By September the document Hodgson-McCauley. was almost completed.

!"(& The submission of the Community Lands map in June and Métis Lands The federal government de- Map in September by the NWTMN to Canada and the GNWT is the fi rst cided to build a camp at Sweet- step in the Interim Lands Withdrawal process and protocol. grass (in Wood Buffalo Na- tional Park) to test buffalo for Bob Overvold presents the June main table with an update on the sta- disease and sell useable meat. tus of his overlap work. Many Métis got work at Sweet- grass. Red Noise and Len Heron Rick Bargery addresses the July main table with information of a general brought in the fi rst lumber by nature regarding negotiations with the Athabasca Denesuline in the skiff; Joe Bourque and Philip NWT. Confi dentiality restrictions limit the information the NWTMN Mercredi built the fi rst camp; and was able to obtain. the entire Antoine family moved to Sweetgrass from Garden City. At the September main table the NWTMN requests that Canada pres- THE NWTMN CONTINGENT meeting with INAC Minister John More materials were hauled in ent its perspective on the status of the Denesuline negotiations process, Duncan in Ottawa October 2011; left to right, NWTMN chief negotiator by cat train in the winter. Métis how it`s progressing, and provide the table with the Framework Agree- Jake Heron, Fort Smith Métis Council secretary/treasurer Allan members of the cat train included ment and all other products in the public domain. Heron, Fort Smith Métis Council president Ken Hudson, Hay River Joe Bourque, Len Heron, Frank Métis Government Council president Paul Harrington, NWTMN Laviolette, John Tourangeau, The NWTMN remains committed to completing the Métis Questionnaire president Betty Villebrun, Minister Duncan, North Arm Métis John Evans and Leonard Wylie. and re-submits a funding proposal to Canada in order for the proposed Council president Melody MacLeod, Fort Resolution Métis Council work to proceed to the extent the funding would permit. president Garry Bailey and Hay River Métis Government Council !"$) vice-president Wally Schumann. Fort Smith-Fitzgerald Indian The NWTMN AiP negotiations process is at an advanced stage of Band and Métis united to form completion. The leadership is looking forward expectantly to a meeting the “Thebacha Association” to with the Minister in October regarding a mandate change and discussions At an NWTMN negotiations caucus in Yellowknife January 23, 2012, provide equality of rights and on the Métis counter offer of February 2010. The Minister listens to the NWTMN chief negotiator Jake Heron informs the caucus that he would opportunity for its membership. presentation and says he will get back to them. be announcing to the main table that very week that he would be recommending to the Board of Directors that the NWTMN accept Canada’s offer. !")# 2012 NWTMN chief negotiator Jake Heron informs the main table parties The Métis and Non-Status In- Minister Duncan writes to the NWTMN January 10, 2012, a follow-up in Yellowknife January 26, 2012 that he would be recommending the dian Association of the Northwest letter to the October 20, 2011 meeting in Ottawa in which he stated that acceptance of Canada’s offer to the NWTMN Board of Directors. The territories is established. “the amounts tabled in November 2009 are at the full extent of Canada’s next Board meeting had been scheduled for February 8th and 9th, 2012 mandate and are Canada’s full and fi nal offer.” in Hay River.

!"#$% Spring 2012 Page 8