Chief accuses N.W.T. officials of forging his signature

YellowknivesDeneChiefEd Sangrissays officials with N.W.T.'sDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources forged his signature on hunting tags handed out this year.

In past years, theYellowknivesDeneagreed to a species recovery plan for theBathurstcaribou withthe territorial government. This year, an agreementcould notbe reached.

ButSangris, chief of Dettah, saysENRwent ahead and handed out cariboutags withhis signature from last year.

He says this year's tags have caused plenty of confusionand finesfor members of the Yellowknives Denewho say they thought having a treaty card allowed them to hunt.

"Now they're seizing caribou, seizing the members guns," he said. "I don't think ENR without our permissionhad the right to give out the harvest tags for this coming winter."

RCMP Sgt. Barry Ledouxsays Sangris came to the Yellowknife detachment to lay a formal complaint.

"We're in the early investigation stages to determine whatif any offences happened," he said.

ENR refused comment because the matter is under investigation.