Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Jun 22/01) - The Deh Cho First Nations have withdrawn from the Aboriginal Pipeline Group while they analyze the proposed agreement for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
Chris Reid, chief negotiator for the DCFN, said the decision was made following a leadership tele-conference two weeks ago.
"I think the leadership wanted to take a step back and consider all the options," he said. "There were some chiefs who simply wanted to withdraw, period. Others were not so sure, so the middle ground was a temporary withdrawal."
First Nations leaders in Deh Cho have authorized an independent business appraisal of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) tabled by the APG in Hay River earlier this month. Reid said they are seeking out oil and gas consultants from Alberta, preferably with experience dealing with First Nations, to provide an opinion on the terms of the proposed agreement.
"The result may be that we'll be persuaded that the MOU is a good deal," Reid said, adding that, alternatively, the DCFN may reject the MOU outright or might support pipeline construction under certain conditions.
"The one message that we want to get out is that no doors have been closed."
On another front, the DCFN brought together hunters and trappers earlier this week from the four Deh Cho communities along the pipeline right-of-way -- Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Wrigley and Trout Lake. Their questions and concerns were taken into account.
"I'm not sure that anybody has looked at the environmental issues," Reid said.
"Even if we sign the MOU, that work has still got to be done. This is typical of the Deh Cho to say, 'We'll do that first before we take the next step.'"
Herb Norwegian, assistant negotiator for the DCFN, added that the input from the traditional land-users is crucial.
"The people that are going to get the brunt of the impact is the harvesters," he said.
The findings are to be discussed at the Deh Cho Assembly in Kakisa June 25-29.
Nellie Cournoyea, chair of the APG, admitted that she is concerned that the Deh Cho has taken the step of withdrawing, "but they have to do what they have to do," she said.
In Hay River the DCFN had asked for an extended period to review the MOU and that was granted, she noted.
Cournoyea said she remains hopeful that the DCFN will decide to get on board with the APG following the Deh Cho Assembly.
"We have to do a lot of immediate work ... to accomplish anything," she said. "The quicker we get moving, the quicker we can look at what we can do for smaller communities and employment opportunities and training opportunities."
