Georges Erasmus steps down as chief negotiator for Dehcho First Nations

The chief negotiator for the Dehcho First Nations in the N.W.T., has announced he's stepping down.

GeorgesErasmushas led the region's land claim and self government negotiationsfor the last 12 years. The 67-year-old says he's retiring for personal and family reasons.

A press release from the First Nationsays 2015has been a "very challenging year" for the Dehcho negotiation process.

TheDehcho, whose traditional territory is centred in the southwest of the N.W.T., are asking for control of about 50,000 square kilometres of land in their land claim negotiations, includingboth surface and subsurface rights.

Talks between the First Nation and theterritorial government have been stalled over the last few months, and were halted in July until after the federal election.

Erasmus told leaders this is an appropriate time to step aside while negotiations are sidelined.

Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian says Erasmus showed leadership and dedication over the yearsand will be hard to replace.

Erasmus is aformer national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, co-chair of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples,and president of the Dene Nation.

He says he wants tospend more time with his wife and family and wishes the Dehcho the best in its negotiations.