Yellowknife (Northwest Territories), May 3, 2005 -- The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Member of Parliament for Western Arctic and Minister of State (Northern Development), today announced the appointment of Mr. Dennis Wallace as Chief Federal Negotiator of the Akaitcho lands, resources and governance process. "I am very pleased that Mr. Wallace has accepted this opportunity,"said Minister Scott. "I am confident that his experience with the department, his work with First Nations across the country and his understanding and commitment to the negotiation process, will ensure steady progress at the table." "Canada considers the Akaitcho Treaty 8 negotiations a priority," said Minister of State Blondin-Andrew. "Mr. Wallace's previous work in the region and his strong background with the department will no doubt bring progress to the Akaitcho Process." As part of his mandate, Mr. Wallace will represent the federal government in its negotiation of a lands, resources and governance Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) between the Akaitcho Dene First Nations (Akaitcho DFN), the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Government of Canada. "An AIP will be a major step towards a final agreement that will clarify who owns and has rights to lands and resources in the region and how it will be governed", said Mr. Wallace. "I look forward to taking on this responsibility on behalf of Canada". Dennis Wallace brings to the negotiations over 30 years of experience in working with First Nations and aboriginal people across Canada. He has participated widely in federal, provincial, territorial and First Nations relations and has experience in aboriginal business development. He has held positions in senior management, including President of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Associate Deputy Minister at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Most recently, Mr. Wallace has been engaged in developing options for northern Ontario regional development and in First Nation access to, and management of, natural resources. The parties to the Akaitcho Process signed a Framework Agreement (2000) which allows for the negotiation of an AIP by setting out the process for negotiations, identifying the subject matters and establishing an agenda and timetable for negotiations. An Akaitcho Interim Measures Agreement (2001) is also in place between the Government of Canada, the Akaitcho DFN, and the GNWT. This agreement provides interim measures that afford a measure of protection to Aboriginal interests during the period that an agreement is being negotiated. Temporary arrangements of this kind have to be made within the framework of existing federal and territorial laws. The Akaitcho negotiations involve four NWT communities around Great Slave Lake: Deninu Kue (Fort Resolution), Lutsel K'e, Ndilo and Dettah. The Akaitcho DFN represents approximately 2,500 Dene. Mr. Wallace replaces former Chief Federal Negotiator, John Gill who was recently appointed to the Court of the Queen's Bench of Alberta. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Campbell Morrison Press Secretary Minister Andy Scott's Office INAC (819) 997-0002 morrisonc@inac.gc.ca DIAND - NWT Region: Toni Riley Communications, NWT (867) 669-2451 rileyt@inac.gc.ca
