Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Jun 29/01) - The need to establish meaningful and beneficial partnerships was brought up during the closing session of last week's Inuvik Petroleum Show.
Nellie Cournoyea of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation said that when Inuvialuit or Gwich'in firms team up with larger firms within the oil and gas industry, the relationship must benefit everyone.
"These partnerships should be true and meaningful partnerships," Cournoyea said. "It has to be a two-way street."
The closing session on Friday wrapped up a two-day conference and trade exhibition, which attracted more than 300 delegates and 70 exhibitors to town.
Delegates got an overview of recent exploration activity in the Beaufort Delta, training needs and programs, and ways to increase benefits to communities.
Fred Carmichael, president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, said trust needs to be established and maintained.
"I think there's still scars in here from the past, and in many of the people up here, because we watched development come here (before)," Carmichael said.
"Where do we go from here? We start to learn to build alliances within our territory. We've got to make those relationships much stronger."
Carmichael noted aboriginal groups in the region have some tough regulations regarding the use of their land.
"It's not because we want to be hard," Carmichael explained to oil and gas firms. "It's because we've been hurt in the past."
Graeme Phipps of PetroCanada responded.
"Fred and Nellie, we hear you. We in industry hear you," Phipps said.
"I know the past has not always been perfect, and in the future we're going to have some tough challenges."
Exciting opportunities
Joseph Handley, minister of resources, wildlife and economic development, said there are exciting opportunities and challenges ahead in the Beaufort Delta.
"All of us, the territorial government and aboriginal governments, we need to really support the responsible development of the oil and gas industry," Handley said.
"The worst thing we can do politically is stall this opportunity."
