YELLOWKNIFE - Some northern aboriginals are worried the recent agreement to transfer province-like powers to the Northwest Territories will damage plans to create a long-desired national park.
Ottawa promised in 2010 that talks with the Lutsel K'e Dene would lead to a massive new national park on the east arm of Great Slave Lake.
In addition to its natural beauty and abundant wildlife, local people consider the area sacred and they have long supported some form of protection for it.
But the area is also rich in minerals and is a possible corridor for hydro power exports.
The Lutsel K'e note the east arm talks are not on the list of negotiations the territorial government promised to continue when it assumes control over land and resources in April 2014.
Territorial Environment Minister Michael Miltenberger says some type of park will be created, but its boundaries and the protection it will offer will be up for discussion.
