Dene Nation to help Ted Tsetta challenge caribou tag charges

The Chief of the Dene Nation says the organization will act as interveners in the case of an N.W.T. man charged with hunting caribou without tags.

Ted Tsetta, a former chief of the Yellowknives Dene, was charged under the territory's wildlife act two years ago. 

"Ted has a treaty right to hunt, trap and fish," said Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus.

The Dene Nation and Tsetta have filed a constitutional notice to bring the federal government into the case. They intend to challenge the charges under section 35 of the Constitution Act, the part that recognizes and affirms Indigenous rights. 

Tsetta will be back in court in September to set a trial date.