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Pipeline debate

Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Hay River (Jun 08/01) - Beepers beeped and cell phones rang, the delegates nibbled on bagels and cream cheese and drank bottled water.

Some of the faces were the same, but this was a different crowd than the one who testified to Justice Thomas Berger.

"Twenty-five years ago, we said no," Premier Stephen Kakfwi said. "Now we have the capacity. We wanted a great plan and we've been working on it 25 years."

The gas-hungry world watched as a mood of guarded optimism whispered through the standing-room only crown this week at the Aboriginal Pipeline Group's opening meeting on the Hay River Dene Reserve. Kakfwi warned the leaders of the missed opportunity in Norman Wells.

"They offered us 15 per cent -- we told them it was peanuts and turned them down," he recalled. "Today that 15 per cent would have been worth $50 million."

He urged the leaders to show the world that the NWT is ready to do business.

"The world is watching. While you're on the world's stage, use your time wisely, don't hesitate."

Deh Cho First Nations Grand Chief Michael Nadli, however, is opposed to the pipeline cutting across Deh Cho land until an agreement is negotiated with DIAND.

Last week, the DCFN passed a resolution Nadli read into the record:

"Be it resolved that terms and conditions of any pipeline crossing Deh Cho territory must be set out in an agreement between Canada and the Deh Cho First Nations. Until such an agreement is reached, the Deh Cho will not support any pipeline through their territory."

The resolution also calls for the establishment of a liaison office between the DCFN and the Aboriginal Pipeline Working Group.

"We believe more discussion has to take place," Nadli said. "There has to be an opportunity for debate."

Others at the meeting are more enthusiastic about striking while the iron is hot. Also on the agenda was a memorandum of understanding calling for the Mackenzie Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation on behalf of peoples of the NWT to take a one-third interest in the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Winter Lennie, president of the Western Arctic Energy Corporation, proposes the leaders hold out for 100 per cent ownership of the pipeline.

"We say we have to have absolute control of what happens on our lands," Lennie said. "The only way you can exercise control is to have ownership."

Dennie Lennie, chair of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, echoed the premier's sense of urgency.

"We've all heard that there is a race on between the Alaska pipeline and Canada's pipeline through our area," Lennie said.

"In Canada's eyes, we are being watched today and hopefully we can work something out to share our resources and our wealth with the rest of Canada."

Fred Carmichael, president of the Gwichin Tribal Council, said the resource in the ground will provide self-sufficiency for future generations.

"As much as we love the land and are determined to look after it, we all know we can no longer make a living hunting and trapping," Carmichael said. "The wealth of the land will sustain the culture and tradition of the people.

"We use ski-doos, we use boats and motors, we use chainsaws and we have to buy gas for this, so we need an economic base," he said. "Our children and our grandchildren no longer chop wood to heat the house -- they turn the thermostat up, the flick a light switch; they take a shower."

"Let's face it: We are in the year 2001 and the way of life for aboriginal people has changed."

Dogrib Grand Chief Joe Rabesca said he is willing to lend the experience gained by the Dogrib's dealings with the diamond companies to help out the unsettled groups, like the Deh Cho.

"Some people in the communities are not set up to face economic development so how are they going to take advantage of it," he asked. "It's better that I help my neighbours -- why not?" he asked.