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 Mtis Nations land claim and resource negotiations with the federal government.

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

"They dont have a treaty, and yes they do have certain aboriginal rights, but that has limitations. And if youre going to hive [off] huge parcels of land from a treaty territory, then whos 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 Mtis Nation, said the Mtis in the territory dont have to prove anything to anyone. She said they wont play second fiddle to the Akaitcho.

"The Akaitcho have no authority to represent Mtis people because theyve never recognized the Mtis people. So how can they represent them? You know, the Akaitcho have no authority to deny aboriginal rights of the NWT treaty rights dont trump aboriginal rights," she said.

Basillie hopes the courts will tell Ottawa to clarify the negotiations theyre having with the Mtis Nation.

The Mtis Nations Villebrun said she plans to defend the Mtis' aboriginal rights in their traditional homeland.

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