June referendum for northern land claim

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Negotiations of the Dene/Metis claim in the Northwest Territories must be finalized by the end of March and then go to a referendum in June, according to the NWT Metis Association.

If there is no final agreement by the end of March, the federal government will cut off negotiations, according to a Metis Association news release.

In a recent letter to the Dene Nation and Metis Association, Pierre Cadieux, the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, stated he's committed to reaching an agreement by March 31, 1990.

The Metis want a joint assembly of the Dene Nation and Metis Association before the end of January to instruct the Dene/Metis negotiating team in finalizing negotiations.

The association also wants a referendum on the comprehensive claim, which is for $500 million over 20 years and 70,000 sq. km. of land.