Fort Good Hope (July 07/03) - The six Dene and Metis organizations in the K'asho Got'ine district (Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake) have joined forces to negotiate a pipeline deal.

A newly formed Pipeline Working Group (PWG) met for the first time recently with Imperial Oil in Fort Good Hope.

Imperial heads the producers group that will be negotiating impact and benefit agreements for the pipeline.

The PWG told Imperial that issues to be negotiated include social impact, route, access compensation, revenue sharing, local benefits and traditional knowledge.

Imperial has agreed to negotiate with the PWG, with the guidelines to be set out in an MOU as the first step.

Chief Frank T'Seleie of the Fort Good Hope Band said the PWG will also serve as a liaison with the communities, both in the K'asho Got'ine and along the pipeline route.

Imperial's Pius Rolheiser said the company sees the formation of the PWG as "a very positive development."

The first working meeting will tentatively be held in Fort Good Hope later this month, he said.