Eileen Collins
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 21/98) - The Hay River Dene Band has created a roadblock in Highwood Resources plans to put a beryllium demonstration plant in Hay River.

The reserve residents stopped an information meeting with the company's representative, Terry Pepper.

According to reserve spokesperson, Roy Fabian, the residents were handed a three-volume report just days before the meeting to which they were expected to respond. Highwood Resources Ltd. had two years and input from several experts to prepare the report.

Pepper admitted the reserve had been left out of the information process and that was why he was meeting with them.

The band immediately sent letters to the Chairman of RERC and the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs as well as to MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Deh Cho MLA Samuel Gargan and to the Deh Cho First Nations letting them know they were left out of the process.

At an information meeting in the town of Hay River, Roy Fabian responded to the information presented by Highwood. Fabian said the process was flawed because the The reserve was not consulted, they were not part of the process while Highwood Resources Ltd. had conducted seven public information sessions with other communities likely to be affected.

Pepper stated he would not accept responsibility for the reserve not being included in the process and didn't know whether RERC or the reserve should have called for meetings.

Fabian commented that the presentation was a one-sided view which painted a rosy picture and that the people of Hay River and the reserve were all going to be guinea pigs.

The reserve already has concerns about the hog farm and the Hay River town dump upstream from them. "We shouldn't have to request you to come to our community," said Fabian. He then read from the public information and consultation guidelines: "Aboriginal consultation is to be based on mutual trust, respect and understanding."

Added Fabian, "To omit the Hay River reserve from this process smells of disrespect, no trust at all, and very little understanding of this area."

Quoting again from the aboriginal consultation guidelines, "Sufficient time and resources are to be provided to ensure meaningful consultation."

Fabian said because of other commitments the chief had to go out of town and Fabian was asked to represent the people on the reserve.

Fabian's address was applauded by the crowd. Others asked questions which were answered by Pepper. Concerns were expressed about locating the plant close to residences, harmful dust in the atmosphere and environmental damage from water used in the processing being discharged back into the river.