Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Wrigley (Sept 03/01) - Deh Cho leaders participating in a special assembly heard pitches from three pipeline groups but held off supporting any proposals, all of which would spell the end to their biggest land claims settlement bargaining chip.

In response, the territorial government urged the industry to stay the course. "My advice to the producers is that it's very seldom they would be able to build a project of this magnitude and not have some political objections to it," Finance Minister Joe Handley said. "We can't have communities anywhere hold the whole valley and all the aboriginal people to ransom over this thing. So, get on with it."

While the Deh Cho hold-out, five of six aboriginal groups support the pipeline.

During the four-day meeting in Wrigley last week, delegates heard from three organizations: The Aboriginal Pipeline Group, The Arctic Resources Corporation, and Western Arctic Energy. Each hoped to curry favour that would allow it to build a pipeline carrying Arctic gas through the region.

It cost the Aboriginal Pipeline Group and the Arctic Resources Group $30,000 each to get onto the agenda only to be shut down.

"In my mind it's typical of the meetings we've had," said a bitter, but resigned Doug Cardinal, "but the Deh Cho process is an open process."

Cardinal was the Aboriginal Pipeline Group's Deh Cho representative. That group had already negotiated a memorandum of understanding along with the Mackenzie Delta Producers Group - Imperial Oil, Conoco Canada, Shell Canada, and ExxonMobil Canada - to provide for one-third pipeline ownership. The memorandum set out principles for negotiating benefits agreements with Mackenzie Valley communities. The Deh Cho refused to sign that memo.

Arctic Resources Corporation says the whole project could be lost if a decision is delayed much longer.

"We could have a pipeline up and running by 2007," said Forrest Hoglund, the group's chairman. It is proposing a completely debt-financed pipeline that would include Alaskan gas and run down to Northern Alberta.

In the end, the Deh Cho adopted a resolution that says its consultation and approval has to be granted to any one wanting to do business in the region. It wants resource revenue sharing as well as full environmental authority.

Chief Rita Kli was supported by many elders when she said they should use the pipeline as leverage for a land claims agreement.

The agreement should include stronger environmental and regulatory control.