Inuvik (Jan 12/07) - A group of youth spoke out against the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline during a public hearing on Monday night.

The Arctic Indigenous Youth Alliance (AIYA) came to Inuvik this past weekend to host a workshop and to make a presentation to the Joint Review Panel.

AIYA co-ordinator Jessica Simpson said the workshop was a way to inform youth about the pros and cons of the proposed pipeline.

"The workshop was aimed at youth from the North who haven't had an opportunity to speak to the Joint Review Panel," said Simpson.

The group began their workshop on Friday night, when the participants arrived.

Youth gathered in Inuvik from their home communities of Fort Good Hope, Yellowknife, Tuktoyaktuk and Sachs Harbour.

Simpson said the first full day of the workshop was a presentation of the technical details of the pipeline.

"Once the youth had more information, we started working on the presentations to the panel," said Simpson.

For former Tuk resident Brent Wolki, 20, the pipeline is not something he wants in the NWT.

"Animal migration routes are my biggest concern," said Wolki.

"The project will have dramatic effects on the local hunters."

Wolki said the workshop was a good way for him to catch up on the issues facing the region.

"We discussed both, the negative and positive effects of the proposed pipeline," said Wolki.

"It was a great experience, the workshop was awesome."

Kiera Dawn Kolson of Yellowknife made an emotional presentation to the Joint Review Panel.

Kolson blamed multi-national corporations and the Government for her loss of culture and traditions.

"I am not in favour of this proposed pipeline," Kolson told the panel on Monday night.

"Instead of focusing on what needs to be developed, you should be focusing on what needs to be preserved," said Kolson.

Kolson has been speaking out about the project and the damages she believes will be caused by development.

"Once a piece of pipe is in the ground, we have to live with the result," said Kolson.

She told the panel that her culture was not for sale.

"Sorry, but we cannot put a price on our lives, our heritage, our language, or culture and social injustices we have faced," said Kolson.

Imperial Oil legal representative Randy Ottenbreit said that his panel has heard a lot of emotional testimony.

"People are entitled to their opinions," said Ottenbreit.

Ottenbreit said natural gas has provided the people of the region with heating and electricity.

"This room is being heated by natural gas right now," he said, standing in the large community hall.

"Some people like the warmth and light, but others have different opinions," said Ottenbreit.