N.W.T. First Nation launches lawsuit against Ottawa

The Akaitcho First Nation in the Northwest Territories has launched a lawsuit against the federal government.

The Akaitcho wants the government to disclose information about the NWT Métis Nation’s land claim and resource negotiations with the federal government.

The chief negotiator for the Akaitcho, Don Basillie said the Métis’ claims could conflict with their treaty rights in the South Slave region.

"They don’t have a treaty, and yes they do have certain aboriginal rights, but that has limitations. And if you’re going to hive [off] huge parcels of land from a treaty territory, then who’s going to compensate and accommodate those First Nations people for the loss of those lands?" he asked.

Basillie says the Akaitcho chiefs do not have a problem including the Metis in their negotiation process, as long as they can trace their ancestry back to the Akaitcho people.

Betty Villebrun, the president of the NWT Métis Nation, said the Métis in the territory don’t have to prove anything to anyone. She said they won’t play second fiddle to the Akaitcho.

"The Akaitcho have no authority to represent Métis people because they’ve never recognized the Métis people. So how can they represent them? You know, the Akaitcho have no authority to deny aboriginal rights of the NWT… treaty rights don’t trump aboriginal rights," she said.

Basillie hopes the courts will tell Ottawa to clarify the negotiations they’re having with the Métis Nation.

The Métis Nation’s Villebrun said she plans to defend the Métis' aboriginal rights in their traditional homeland.

There is no word yet on when the case could go to court.