NNSL (May 19/97) - When the Gwich'in of the Mackenzie Delta finalized their land claim with the federal government five years ago, Ottawa agreed in writing to set up a series of joint-authority environmental panels no later than December 1994.

A similar promise was included in the Sahtu land claim and the sweeping Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act, which would affect the entire Western Arctic, was drafted to establish the panels.

The Chretien government has yet to pass the act, however, and the Gwich'in last month launched a lawsuit demanding $2 million to make up for the delay. Though widely publicized during the early days of the campaign, not every candidate for Western Arctic seat was even aware of the proposed act.

Reform's Mike Watt, although he has lived in the North for 20 years, and his home in Wrigley lies in the centre of the valley, said he knows nothing about the act and so can't offer any thoughts about the MP's role.

"I need a little background on that," Watt said.

Tory Bob Dowdall is similarly in the dark on the subject, admitting he's not too familiar with the act or the lawsuit that sprang from it.

"I have to be honest, I haven't read the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act," he said. "My knowledge of the act is sketchy."

But Dowdall said that his commitment to environmental issues and the management of resources is high on his priority list.

"I would prefer environmentalists to be part of the process," he said. "I support more consultation with the people it affects."

New Democrat Mary Beth Levan, however, is up to speed. "The Liberals should answer for their lack of effort," she said. "It's a typical Liberal move, ignore it and it'll go away.... We'd address it and implement it."

A big part of devolving authority is setting up co-management boards, she added.

Independent Wally Firth, meanwhile, said he is sympathetic with the Gwich'in position on the act. "It's a sad state when an organization such as the Gwich'in Tribal Council and duly elected people have to resort to the courts to get things moving along," he said.

"Why should we spend money paying lawyers when the MP should be moving that along?"

Liberal Ethel Blondin-Andrew said she did not want to comment on the matter because it is before the courts.

She did say, however, that she arranged a meeting between Minister of Indian Affairs Ron Irwin and Gwich'in Tribal Council president Richard Nerysoo last weekend.

Irwin was visiting the North in a show of support for Blondin-Andrew.