Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 11/02) - Michael Nadli was not excitable when asked for his reaction to the Mackenzie Delta Producers Group's plan to file a regulatory application for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

"It's business as usual," said Nadli, grand chief of the Deh Cho First Nations.

Nadli and fellow First Nations leaders from around the Deh Cho will have a private meeting with DIAND Minister Robert Nault in Fort Simpson on Friday morning. Nadli said that meeting will indicate whether the federal government is sincere about meeting the DCFN's pipeline terms and conditions.

"We're holding our breath," Nadli said Tuesday.

The Deh Cho is seeking to negotiate a pipeline deal and resource revenue sharing agreement directly with the federal government. Late last year, the DCFN stated it wanted 50 per cent of regional royalties.

The Deh Cho also wants to be a full participant in an environmental assessment for the pipeline.

Nadli added that it's too soon to say whether the matter will proceed to court.

"We'll keep our options open," he said.

The Mackenzie Delta Producers Group had been on the DCFN leadership agenda Tuesday, but DCFN executive director Alison de Pelham said she never heard back from the producers group representatives after she informed them they would have to pay $30,000 towards assembly costs to make a presentation.