Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Fort Good Hope (June 20/05) - Thirty years after his landmark report on the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, Thomas Berger is once again in the North to discuss how oil and gas development will affect aboriginal communities.

Beginning with an informal visit out on the land near Fort Smith last week, Berger was to meet with residents in Fort Good Hope, Saturday, before continuing on to Colville Lake, Sunday.

Television personality David Suzuki, who along with Berger was to address the Deh Cho Assembly in Kakisa, June 28, had to cancel his appearance.

Berger is travelling in the Mackenzie Valley, gathering images and interviews for a television documentary on the impacts of the proposed pipeline, said Leah Grandjambe, coordinator of the visit.

"He's filming another video like he did in 1975," said Grandjambe, noting the original movie will be aired Friday night at the Community Complex.

The former B.C. Supreme Court Justice will travel up river Sunday to interview bush camp residents.

"I'm not against the pipeline but we should be educating the community and elders before it (development) happens," said elder Charlie Tobac, who appeared in the 1975 film.

"If we don't deal with the issues before, the impact is going to be double."

The former drug and alcohol counsellor will speak about environmental issues and the impact of development on the community and bush life when he meets Berger.

Education around aboriginal languages and culture, job training, preparation for the pipeline, protection of traditional and trapping areas and promotion of healthy lifestyles and coping methods are just some of the programs needed before construction actually begins, according to Tobac.

"Modern ways have changed how we survive but we still have to promote our traditions and culture," Tobac said.