Kakfwi ruffles Yukon feathers
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 08/01) - Premier Stephen Kakfwi is refusing to comment on a media report that he urged a Yukon First Nation to use the proposed Alaska-Yukon pipeline as a bargaining chip in land claim negotiations.
 Stephen Kakfwi |
Cabinet press secretary Drew Williams fielded all questions on the issue and said Kakfwi would not comment.
Williams confirmed that Kakfwi had discussed the land claim with Kaska leaders in Calgary just before Christmas. He could neither confirm nor deny that Kakfwi had urged the Kaska to use the pipeline to lever power at the negotiating table.
"My understanding is (the Kaska) made the expected courtesy call and asked if they could meet with him and he complied," Williams said.
The Kaska land claim overlaps the Sahtu, Kakfwi's constituency. Kakfwi was involved in discussions with the Kaska as Sahtu MLA and not premier, Williams said.
In campaigning for support for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline, Kakfwi has repeatedly pointed out that the Alaska-Yukon route does not have the support of all Yukon First Nations.
"Mr. Kakfwi is responsible for his own actions," said Yukon Premier Pat Duncan, when the issue was raised.
Duncan downplayed Kakfwi's involvement in the Kaska negotiations, responding to questions with a two-part mantra -- that her government was committed to settling land claims and that there was enough gas to warrant both a Mackenzie Valley and an Alaska-Yukon pipeline.
Duncan said that though she had not contacted Kakfwi to clarify the Jan. 2 report her cabinet officials had attempted to do so.
"They have reaffirmed to Mr. Kakfwi that Yukon has taken the high ground, quite frankly, on the pipeline issue and we have also reaffirmed our commitment to the settlement of land claims," Duncan said.
Though she insisted there is no competition between the two pipeline proposals, Duncan used Thursday's press conference to promote the Alaska-Yukon route.
Duncan said Alaskan North slope gas is ready to be moved to market, and a treaty signed in the 70's provides the right of way to get it there.
The Mackenzie-Delta has less gas and no production facilities, Duncan said.
"It's not pipeline-ready. When it is pipeline-ready it should be built."
NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Minister Joe Handley has said construction of an Alaska-Yukon pipeline would likely eliminate demand among producers for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
