Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 22/05) - A few Deh Cho communities are ready to embark on oil and gas projects and they have the grand chief's conditional blessing.

Now that the withdrawal of pipeline litigation has resulted in a $31.5 million settlement with the federal government, Dehcho First Nations is a step closer to embracing "controlled" development.

"It won't be wide-scale like it's been before. It would be controlled and pretty focused in very specific areas," Norwegian said, adding that a collective approach will be encouraged among the First Nations in the region. "We're behind the communities on that... that's kind of exciting."

Before any seismic exploration begins, Chris Reid, legal counsel for the Dehcho First Nations, said a few critical points still remain to be negotiated with the federal government.

The size of exploration parcels, restrictions on seismic exploration, air and water emission standards and the bid criteria are among the issues still on the table.

The Deh Cho has been lobbying for a cash-bonus system, where the highest bidder to explore a parcel of land would give the Deh Cho a lump-sum payment.

Norwegian has written to Andy Scott, minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), requesting a meeting to resolve oil and gas terms and conditions before the end of July.

Kakisa's plan

The Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation has also been in contact with DIAND officials in Ottawa to use its proposed oil and gas program as a pilot project in the Deh Cho, according to Julian Landry, oil and gas advisor in Kakisa.

The venture, to take place on Ka'a'gee Tu traditional lands, would encompass an environmental assessment, helicopter-based seismic work and up to 20 jobs, Landry said. Even more employment and opportunities will ensue if there's any production of oil and gas, he noted.

"If this goes ahead, we can really make some headway in defining the protocol or terms and conditions of how oil and gas is developed in the Deh Cho," he said, adding that the initiative will comply with the existing interim agreements between the Dehcho First Nations and the federal government.

Kakisa has had investors and various joint ventures in place for several years now, said Landry.

"We were hoping to do this (project) three or four years ago. It might be another three weeks or another three years, but we hope not," he said.

In Fort Liard, the four candidates for chief all promised to open new parcels of land for oil and gas exploration and development.

However, Norwegian noted that Fort Liard's boundary issues with Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte must be resolved to everyone's satisfaction before more development proceeds.