NNSL (Mar 30/98) - Supporters of the Trans Canada Trail project say the territorial government has to lend its support to the idea of winding the trail along the Mackenzie Valley -- or risk being left out of the loop.

Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger wrote a letter to Premier Don Morin recently, asking the government to publicly support the Trans Canada Trail and the inclusion of the trail through the Mackenzie Valley.

"There's contact up and down the valley, but it's largely by individuals," Miltenberger said. "What we're looking for is a clear political statement which indicates support."

The Trans Canada Trail is a national project which will stretch more than 3,600 kilometres across Canada in the form of bicycle paths, parks and other conservation projects.

Fort Smith's Don Jaque, the territorial representative for the trail agrees the territorial government should lend a hand for the project.

"This an opportunity for the Western Arctic, and the government has to play a role," Jaque said. "I have recently written to (Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development) Steven Kakfwi, saying this a matter which could become a defining characteristic for the new western territory."

Jaque was also in Victoria recently meeting with trail officials and said he's mostly concerned with the final path of the trail.

"We could lose it if we don't get our act together," Jaque said. "There is a chance the trail could go through northern B.C. and through the Yukon up to Tuktoyatuk.

In that event, only southern portions of the NWT would be linked to the trail.

Miltenberger added that the request for help does not require the territorial government to provide any new funding.

"We're not asking for new bags of money," he said. "The project falls under the tourism initiative, which means we can use the resources already there.

"All we want is for this to be put on the list so the organizers can go to the national conference and show there is support for the project."