Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Feb 18/02) - Brandon Buggins sees big opportunities.

"I want to be something. I want to be successful," said the optimistic 16-year-old.

Brandon Buggins was at the Deh Cho development conference in Fort Simpson last week. The 16-year-old looked over the NWT Apprenticeship and Occupations trade fair booth. "There are lots of jobs and opportunities coming here for us," he said. - Thorunn Howatt/NNSL photo

He was at a resource development conference in Fort Simpson last week to learn about jobs following any development in the region.

And that's what industry was pushing in the Deh Cho community. BHP Billiton, Enbridge, mining and oilfield-related companies promoted training and skills.

In a few years Buggins will enter the workforce. But for now he's confused with some of the issues that are front and centre in the area.

The region is still wrestling through the Deh Cho land claim, inching its way toward a settled land claim. Some want development to wait.

About 90 delegates were at the Deh Cho development conference in Fort Simpson. It was hosted by Fort Simpson Tri-council: Liidlii Kue First Nation, Metis Nation Local 52 and the village of Fort Simpson.

Organizers were disappointed when some developers were confronted during question periods.

"I know two of the other chiefs were pretty upset by what happened this morning with our staff," said Fort Simpson Chief Rita Cli.

Imperial Oil spokesperson Joanne Nutter was confronted by Deh Cho First Nations executive director Alison de Pellham.

de Pellham challenged Nutter about the Mackenzie Valley Producers' Group and its advancement of a pipeline through the region -- with or without Deh Cho support.

Nutter responded noncommittally that the producers group will move forward on the project definition stage with the aboriginal support they now have.

Nutter wasn't surprised by the verbal assault. "We are aware of the concerns," she said.

Cli explained the conference was intended to inform residents about workforce requirements.

"We want to avoid what happened before," she said.

Cli referred to a pipeline from Imperial Oil's Norman Wells site built in the mid-'80s. She thinks opportunities were missed during that time.

"We don't want to be left in the dust."