Deh Cho First Nations challenge Kakfwi
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (May 21/01) - A rift has emerged in the much-touted support among NWT aboriginal for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
Deh Cho First Nations grand chief Michael Nadli said last week that the Deh Cho has not given its full support to the pipeline.
During a DCFN leadership meeting, Nadli described pro pipeline statements made by premier Stephen Kakfwi and by some members of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group as "very disturbing.
"The impression has been created that the Deh Cho is in favour of a pipeline being built. How did that happen?" Nadli asked.
Kakfwi surprised
Kakfwi said Nadli has never expressed any concerns to him about the pipeline messages being delivered by the government.
As he has done numerous times while drumming up support for the pipeline, Kakfwi pointed to a resolution NWT aboriginal leaders -- Nadli was one of the signatories -- supported unanimously in January 2000.
"It was fairly simple and straightforward. They agreed in principle to build a business partnership to maximize ownership and benefits of a pipeline.
"To me, that means they're proposing a pipeline, but the conditions are that they want to own it and they need favourable terms and conditions. The pipeline working group is looking for favourable terms and conditions."
Chris Reid, chief negotiator for the DCFN, said unconditional support for a pipeline would compromise the DCFN's position at the self-government negotiating table with the federal government.
"(Support) is something you should give only after there are a lot of concessions in return," Reid advised the chiefs and elders.
Kakfwi, referring to Reid as "this guy from Ontario," questioned what authority he had to speak for the people of the Deh Cho.
The leaders later endorsed a recommendation that any pipeline crossing Deh Cho territory only be negotiated as part of the Deh Cho Process between DCFN leadership and the federal government. As well, the recommendation calls for a reporting and protocol process to be established between the DCFN and the Aboriginal Pipeline Group to ensure a consistent message is sent out.
Accountability stressed
"It's got to be made clear that the APG works for the leadership," Nadli said. "This will ensure that there's accountability."
Kakfwi said Deh Cho leaders are responding to an impression among some people in the region that the pipeline is being pushed through under any terms and conditions
"The Deh Cho leaders haven't taken the time to correct that misperception," the premier said.
"Instead they've said, 'If that is what they are doing it is wrong and shouldn't happen.'"
By signing an Aboriginal Pipeline Group memorandum of understanding last June, Nadli said the DCFN only agreed to have the APWG draft a business plan, not to negotiate the building of the pipeline, as he claimed they are doing.
Richard Lafferty, economic development advisor for the DCFN, echoed Nadli's contention.
"We asked them to look for information... and report back to us, but that's not what they're doing," said Lafferty.
