Yellowknife (Feb 03/06) - Access and Benefits agreements between four of the five aboriginal interests on the pipeline right of way are all but settled, it was learned last week during National Energy Board hearings on the Mackenzie pipeline.

While Imperial hopes the deals between the Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and two Sahtu groups - K'ahsho G'otine and Deline/Tulita - will be ratified as soon as possible, it could not offer a timeframe for a completed deal with the Deh Cho.

"Negotiations with the Deh Cho are still underway," said Randy Ottenbreidt on behalf of Imperial.

According to Gwich'in Tribal Council Chief Operating Officer Tom Williams, the GTC was the first group to sign off on such a deal, Dec. 23.

Due to confidentiality arrangements with Imperial, Williams was not able to divulge the details.

"We lived up to our guiding principles and our big one was to ensure that we could maximize employment and business opportunities in the settlement region," said Williams. "There's a monetary compensation component and preferential contracting and hiring assurances."

On the other side of town, the Inuvialuit have reached a tentative deal.

"Imperial has accepted our terms and conditions as specified," said Inuvialuit Regional Corporation communications manager Peggy Jay. "It's subject to support by members of the community corporations and IRC board."

After making his oral statement for the National Energy Board Saturday, Inuvialuit beneficiary Richard Gordon reiterated his remarks regarding regular IRC members having a say in whether or not to accept an access and benefits deal in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

"It's not that I'm against the pipeline," he said. "I just think that (access and benefits) should be put to the membership for a vote."

However, both the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in stance on the matter is that the decision rests with the elected leadership.

"The last two Annual General Assemblies gave the tribal council's negotiating team the authority to conclude a deal," said Williams. "Prior to signing it we took it to all four communities and had the support."