Bohnet and Erasmus cornered over land claims

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Noeline Villebrun says land claim decisions made by NWT leaders make her feel like she's lost her birthright.

A past resident of the Northwest Territories, Villebrun told Dene and Metis leaders at a meeting held in Edmonton on Wednesday that it hurts her to think organizations, which are supposed to represent her, are actually disinheriting her, because she now lives in the south.

Speaking at a meeting held at the Convention Center in Edmonton, she said it is important that leaders realize Dene and Metis people in the south do not want to be excluded from any land claim agreement "simply because we reside outside the NWT.

"Because we have left out homeland does not mean we have lost our birthrights."

"We are appalled Native leaders of the NWT, who represent the same people in this room, are denying us future benefits under the land claim agreement," a visibly angry Villebrun told Bill Erasmus, president of the Dene Nation, and Gary Bohnet, NWT Metis Association president.

Over 150 Dene and Metis, who are afraid they'll be excluded from a $500-million land claim agreement signed in principal with the federal government last year, attended the March 14 meeting. The agreement will also transfer 70,000 square miles of land to northern Native people.

Another 400,000 square miles of land in the Western Arctic, most of it located in the MacKenzie Valley, is still being discussed at the negotiation table.

An agreement is likely to be reached between the Dene and Metis before month end.

But southern Dene/Metis want assurances they will receive benefits from the land agreement, which is expected to get final approval by 1991.

"No one is saying you are not a beneficiary. The question is will you receive benefits because you live outside the NWT? said Erasmus.

"You want a guarantee you will receive benefits regardless of where you live. We need to know what you want us to do. The majority of the time we are too busy thinking of the people in the north," he added.

Bohnet told the packed room he was in favor of everyone getting something from the agreement.

But, he said, it's "not in my power to have that done. Give us some direction and we will take it back to the leadership (the chiefs of five NWT tribes and heads of the Metis locals).

Dene and Metis living outside the NWT are also concerned their children might not be eligible for benefits.

Both presidents said it was not up to them to decide who can receive benefits. They said they would take their direction from the chiefs and Metis local presidents. "To determine eligibility or enrollment, I will not take any position at this time," Bohnet said.

"We are going for the best agreement. We won't sign an agreement that is not worthwhile. You have legitimate concerns that need to be addressed," Erasmus added.

Both Bohnet and Erasmus advised Edmonton Dene and Metis people to contact their NWT representatives.

"I can't guarantee you anything because you live in the south. But the people who make the decisions are your own people. Talk to them," said Bohnet.

"Get in touch with people in the north. How can they deny you your rights? I think in the long run people won't be narrow-minded to not allow you benefits," added Erasmus.

When asked if they could sent a southern representative to sit in on the next negotiation meeting scheduled for March 30 at Yellowknife, both leaders said it was possible. "But is it worth it?" asked Erasmus.

"I would not support you going to the negotiation meetings. You should lobby your chiefs and the Metis locals. They can handle your concerns," said Bohnet.

"Remember the people in the north support your rights and I don't want to see you lose any rights," he added.

According to the two leaders it has not been decided on how the $500 million will be spent if the agreement is finalized.

"A heritage trust fund may be set up or a community institution of Dene and Metis. Either way that would be the body deciding what to do with the mone, they explained.

It was decided more meetings between southern Dene/Metis and the two northern leaders should be held.

Erasmus asked for a contact person, someone they could rely on to send information to.

However, with the March 30 meeting, less than two weeks away, the general feeling was it may already be too late for Dene/Metis not living in the NWT.