Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 11/00) - Members of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group met in Yellowknife last month to further discuss the feasibility of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Dennis Nelner, Deh Cho representative of the APG, said the primary focus of the July 27 meeting was to develop a business plan.

"This meeting was to talk a little bit about the mandate and the budget -- more of an administrative thing," Nelner said.

The group last met on June 30 in Fort Simpson with industry representatives to unite 30 aboriginal leaders in the business of the pipeline construction.

At the Yk meeting, Nelner said the group discussed how they would further finance the working group.

"The initial monies have come from DIAND, but it's not very much," he said. "What we have to do is find out how much money we need first."

With 10 communities to consult in the Deh Cho, Nelner said they will need to have travel funding as well as a budget for a regional office.

"We want to be able to make the best informed decision for the region and it's going to cost money," Nelner said. "We're looking at a regional oil and gas office or a non-renewable resource office."

"The regions have to identify their own monetary needs as well," he said. "With the Deh Cho it's more important, because we don't have any claim dollars and we don't have the structure you have with a final agreement."

Nelner said the group hopes to keep the momentum of the first meeting going to build on the confidence of the aboriginal and business communities.

The APG next meets in the Sahtu on Aug. 25. Nelner said the business plan will be firmed up and financing will be sought.

"We'll be trying to finalize the business plan and hopefully we'll have some more terms of reference and more direction from the assembly," he said. "We have to put thought to paper and then start canvassing."