First Nations eye Cameron Hills development
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Kakisa (Nov 03/00) - Some Deh Cho bands are trying to co-ordinate their approach to development in the Cameron Hills.
With interest in drilling, gas and oil wells and pipelines in the area, Paramount Resources has applied for a land-use permit and a water licence.
Lloyd Chicot, chief of the Ka'a'ge Tu First Nation in Kakisa, said he wants his band to take the lead role in addressing the project because the development is in their "backyard."
"Right now our concern is not really about development ... we're the primary users of that area. The water flows directly into Tathlina (Lake). We have commercial fisheries, hunting and trapping," said Chicot, adding that a forestry company is also interested in the area.
"If any development happens it's not the surrounding communities that are going to suffer, it's going to be us here."
Ron Bonnetrouge, chief of the Deh Gah Got'ie in Fort Providence, said he has been pursuing the issue of development in Cameron Hills, which lies roughly 65 kilometres south of Kakisa, since he was elected in May.
Other than one meeting with Chicot in June, he said his efforts to advance the issue have been unsuccessful.
"Kakisa never really sat down to talk about what they mean by playing a lead role. What resources have they got to really handle a lot of this stuff?" he said.
He added that the Hay River Reserve also expects to have a say in what happens in Cameron Hills.
"Every day we don't sit together we lose ... we're trying to get maximum benefits out of this.
"This is a one-time deal."
Bonnetrouge said Fort Providence has never been able to make any unilateral decisions about the Horn Plateau -- Wrigley, Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River have to be involved under a co-management regime. He said the same set of co-management rules should apply to the Cameron Hills area.
Although Paramount is waiting on its land-use permit and water licence, there are indications that business is still being done in anticipation of the project. Shetah Drilling, a Dene-owned company, announced in late October that it signed a drilling contract with Paramount for work in Cameron Hills.
According to Chicot, Paramount also has a commitment for a working relationship with Dene Directional, a joint-venture between the K'atl'odeeche First Nation in Hay River, the Acho Dene Koe of Fort Liard and the Ka'a'ge Tu Fist Nation in Kakisa.
Chicot said it's still possible that the oil and gas work could go ahead with First Nations' consent, but recognition would go a long way.
"The way things are done, it's not done right. There's a lack of consultation," he said. "We're a small band and we're not recognized as having our own government, our own chief and elders that used to look after this territory... but we're still going to do what we have to do to build our relationships with the other communities and the companies that are willing to work with us."
Ken Weagle, executive director of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, said Paramount Resources' water licence and land-use permit applications will be reviewed by the board on Nov. 9.
