"They (NWT Chamber of Mines president Doug Willy and executive director Mike Vaydik) suggested that if we were to talk about diamonds with the minister, they would leave the room," said Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce executive director Cheryl Best.

Willy is also manager of public and government affairs for Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., a partner in the development of the Diavik diamond project at Lac de Gras.

Some city business leaders say provisions for the development of a secondary diamond industry in the North could be a key part of an impact and benefits agreement Diavik will have to negotiate.

Vaydik said the Chamber of Mines has no position on the marketing of any diamond mine's products.

Diamonds were not on the agenda for the meeting with DIAND Minister Jane Stewart, he said.

According to one source at the meeting, as it was about to break up, Willy produced a document that he suggested presents a unified position on issues of concern to the Northern business community.

The paper included issues such as mining royalties, water licensing and resource management, but made no mention of diamonds.

Willy preferred not to discuss details of Tuesday's meeting. He said it is more significant that the North arrive at a position that is beneficial for everyone.

In the end, however, the subject was raised at the meeting with Stewart, no one walked out and the discussions were cordial.

Willy said the Chamber of Mines did not discuss sorting and evaluation with Stewart.

Chamber concerns centre on things like Con and Giant mines, he said.

"Diamonds are definitely on the agenda," said Best, adding the Chamber of Mines' insistence that diamonds not be discussed caught her and others by surprise.

"I think our relationships with the mining companies have always been good," said Best. "I felt they supported our efforts to establish a secondary diamond industry," Best said.

"Our agenda is diamonds," Yellowknife Diamond Industry Task Force spokesperson Julia Mott said.

"It's reasonable to expect other areas of Canada to be looking to promote themselves. We have to ensure we do it better."

The diamond lobby was just one of a steady stream of groups that passed before Jane Stewart during her one-day stop in Yellowknife, but it's a group that feels the future of the North is tied to diamonds.

"If we have one point that we can make today, it is that we want your help to capture the value which is added by the secondary diamond industries," the Yellowknife Diamond Industry Task Force, Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and NWT Chamber of Commerce told the minister of Indian and Northern affairs in a prepared statement Wednesday.

During an interview with Yellowknifer, Stewart said the federal government supports the establishment of a secondary diamond industry here, as long as no government subsidies are involved.

"It behooves us to do what we can to maximize this resource," said Stewart. "But there would be no sense in creating aspects of an economy that would require strong government support."

"As long as it is sustainable and profitable, it makes sense," the minister said.

The NWT Chamber of Mines did not endorse the joint statement, but was part of the meeting.

"(Diamonds) were brought up and (chamber president Doug Willy) didn't walk out," said Mayor Dave Lovell. "It was quite civilized."

Lovell said he felt the minister got the message that was being delivered.

"It was pretty positive," said the mayor. "Her points were that she was very interested in economic progress for aboriginal groups. I feel she's listening to us."

In addition to the mayor, the meeting included Metis and Yellowknives Dene representatives.