Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (May 18/01) - Deh Cho elders are advocating sharing resource wealth to avoid a flood of development in the region.
An elders' council meeting Monday endorsed a recommendation that there be no new exploration for oil and gas in the Deh Cho unless it is approved by Deh Cho First Nations leadership and the elders' council.
That recommendation will be presented to chiefs during at this week in Fort Simpson.
"If we go our separate ways in the smaller communities, we're going to lose out, it's true," Trout Lake elder Edward Jumbo said to his dozen counterparts from seven of the Deh Cho's 10 communities.
"We're all relatives who should stand as one. We've got to protect our land. We've got to protect what the Creator has given us," he said.
Deh Cho chief negotiator Chris Reid outlined an economic development model that would see one or two undefined major projects in agreed upon locations.
All First Nations in the region would share the benefits.
The approach would ensure enough money for the Deh Cho to govern itself for the next 100 years and would provide optimal employment over the same period, he said.
Deh Cho leaders and elders would decide how to divide the revenue, Reid said
An economic development working group would be formed to jump start the process, he added.
If the model isn't followed, Deh Cho risks having 10 communities with their own individual projects, creating a reliance on southern workers and the alcohol and drug problems that often accompany rapid growth.
"There's a danger right now that you could have wide-open development ... it will end up out of control," Reid said.
The more land that is opened to exploration and development, the less leverage the Deh Cho First Nations have at the negotiating table, according to Reid.
He suggested that the federal government is eager to see development in the Deh Cho because it benefits from royalties.
Elder Ted Landry of Fort Providence supported the concept of sharing resource royalties.
"If we make only one house and follow the rules, then we can protect ourselves ... then we'll be strong, we'll all be powerful," he said.
