Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Apr 12/02) - Even though Deh Cho First Nations' self-government negotiations are stalled, Grand Chief Michael Nadli isn't about to open the door to a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Nadli referred to a new pipeline study as another industry "smoke screen."

According to a Canadian Press report, an analysis conducted by University of Calgary economists indicates that a Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline will generate up to $77 billion for the Canadian economy and create more than 157,000 person-years of employment during its lifetime. The study was sponsored by the GNWT and TransCanada Pipeline.

"It's just an information campaign to woo our members and people down the Mackenzie Valley," Nadli said of the report, adding that a pipeline is at least four years from becoming a reality anyway.

Meanwhile, the DCFN is still striving to reach an Interim Resource Development Agreement (IRDA) with the federal government. The original target date was March 31, but the two sides can't agree how benefits -- particularly a cash-bidding process -- from oil and gas will be will be derived and shared.

"If we can't get this IRDA then... what the heck is in it for us? Why do we need to open up our lands?" Nadli asked.

As well, the DCFN still hasn't decided whether it will take legal action against DIAND for initially excluding the Deh Cho from a regulatory streamlining process for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, Nadli noted.

The Deh Cho would also like to see a band of land on each side of the Mackenzie River and tracts of the Muskeg River near Fort Liard designated off limits to development, but federal negotiators have resisted to date, Nadli said.

"It's a major tributary. It's the main artery life of here in the Deh Cho," he said. "It's political reasons for them not agreeing with it... we wanted to base it on scientific and ecological merit, not for political reasons."

Nadli raised the issue during a meeting with DIAND minister Robert Nault in Yellowknife last week, but Nault was not briefed on the issue and therefore didn't respond, according to the grand chief.