Dogrib ink historic land, government deal

The federal government initialed the same agreement in Ottawa last Wednesday.

This week, the territorial government negotiator will add his initials.

According to John B. Zoe, the chief negotiator for the DogDogribbrib, the next step is to begin the final ratification process.

"They'll be a list put up as to who's going to vote and people have to apply at that stage," he says. "Hopefully by the spring time we'll get a chance to vote on it."

Zoe says no more changes will be made to Tlicho agreement, despite the court challenge to stall the process.

"Whatever dispute that might be out there, it's really out of our hands. So the approval process that we're on is going to continue," he says.

Zoe says his team will recommend to the Tlicho members to approve the package.

Dogrib leaders plan to invite the prime minister to the final signing of the Tlicho agreement, scheduled for Aug. 22.