After 9 months, Dehcho First Nations cut ties with chief negotiator

Herb Norwegian took over from former chief negotiator Garth Wallbridge Thursday

Image | Herb Norwegian

Caption: On Thursday, Oct. 27, chiefs appointed Grand Chief Herb Norwegian to the role on an interim basis, taking over from former chief negotiator Garth Wallbridge. (CBC)

The N.W.T.'s Dehcho First Nations have a new chief negotiator, at least for now.
On Thursday, Oct. 27, chiefs appointed Grand Chief Herb Norwegian to the role on an interim basis, taking over from former chief negotiator Garth Wallbridge.

Image | Garth Wallbridge

Caption: Yellowknife lawyer Garth Wallbridge.

Norwegian wouldn't provide any details on why DCFN parted ways with Wallbridge, a Yellowknife lawyer who was in the job for only about nine months.
Norwegian said they're going to look for a permanent replacement, but couldn't say how long that might take.
"It's a long drawn out process, but at this point it's not a priority. The priority is just to make sure the discussions and the rapport that we have with the government is still there and then we'll continue to re-jig and continue to move our process forward."
The Dehcho First Nations, made up of 10 First Nations and two Métis groups, are currently negotiating a land claim in the southwestern N.W.T.

Image | Dehcho First Nations land claim area

Caption: The Dehcho First Nations want ownership of 50,000 square kilometres of land, plus mineral rights, in the southwestern N.W.T. This map shows the interim measures agreement area only. (INAC)