Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 12/02) - Seismic activity isn't welcome on the Mackenzie River, and future drilling is out of the question, according to Herb Norwegian.

Herb Norwegian, assistant negotiator for the Deh Cho First Nations, says a protective buffer for the Mackenzie River would preclude drilling for oil and gas on the river bottom. A seismic company has "no damn right" to collect data from the river, he says. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

Norwegian, assistant negotiator for the Deh Cho First Nations, said the DCFN, through self-government negotiations, is striving to create a buffer to prevent development along the Deh Cho portion of the Mackenzie River.

"If anybody is out there siphoning this kind of (seismic) information, it's a violation of Dene law," he argued. "They should be taken to the Dene Hague or something. They don't have the damn right to do that."

Steve Whidden, an account manager for WesternGeco, said representatives from his company have met several times with Deh Cho leaders to explain their intentions. He described the meetings as "positive."

WesternGeco has already signed a broad memorandum of understanding with the Acho Dene Koe in Fort Liard.

The company hopes to sign similar agreements with other communities in the region, Whidden said. He added that First Nations would be granted access to the seismic data and the project would create two to six jobs for local people in each community, he added.

"We're not the type of company to come into an area, create some bad feelings and not going to be back the following year. We want to be back year after year after year," said Whidden. "Anytime you can move forward with an MOU, and even further with joint partnerships, it does create a feeling of trust."

Even though the proposed seismic activity wouldn't involve drilling, the data could generate interest among oil and gas companies, which may want to conduct exploratory drilling. The prospect makes Norwegian cringe.

"Our banks of the Deh Cho here are just rich with culture and heritage. We don't want (industry) driving any shafts in the river or tampering with the shorelines," he said. "The Deh Cho, the river itself ... that's the pulse, that's what keeps us all alive. If you go for the heart, we'll go for the jugular."