Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 27/01) - A oil exploration company that conducted work in the Tsiigehtchic region last winter faced some emotional criticism at the 18th annual general meeting of the Gwich'in Tribal Council last week.

Don Ashton and Mark Algar, two project managers from Calgary-based Devlan Exploration Inc., were at the gathering to discuss exploration completed last winter. They found themselves answering questions about environmental damage, alcohol at the work camps and charges of racism among southern workers.

A delegate from Tsiigehtchic accused Devlan of rushing the permit process and caused irreparable damage to the environment. "I'm very upset what happened in my backyard last year," said Maureen Clark. "That's my history you disturbed."

Algar maintained that the company had conducted itself according to good environmental principals, although Ashton agreed that the company should have started the process earlier and given the community more time to react.

"We did a lot of things maybe we shouldn't have done," Ashton said. "But we were behind the eight ball and my one concern was to get the job done." He said the company was under pressure to complete the work quickly because of the way the permit process works.

Fred Carmichael, president of the Gwich'in tribal council, said it was unfortunate that the working relationship between the community and the company had been strained, but he said it was a learning experience that would help make future relationships with oil companies smoother.

"We learned a lot. I really feel that we some how didn't do a very good job last year because ... it came too quick. It was the first time for the Gwich'in people."

He pointed to a current initiative to have the Gwich'in Development Corporation develop a "one-stop shop" where companies can access information and general contracting from Gwich'in companies. Ashton agreed that would help reduce confusion and allow companies to provide more work for Gwich'in companies.

Other delegates brought up the need for tougher enforcement of alcohol restrictions in work camps, and the need for southern workers to undergo a cultural debriefing.

"That's the biggest problem in our community today is alcohol," said Robert Alexie, a Fort McPherson elder. "I heard that a lot of them were drinking at the camp. This should be stopped. Lay down the rules."

Tsiigehtchic elder Rose Clark spoke vehemently about incidences of racism she'd heard had taken place at the camp. "Some of our boys went to work at your camp but the workers were mistreating our boys, mouthing at them. This should never happen. It's easy for you to go talk to your boys as they're coming in. Tell them not be that kind of people."

Ashton said there were two cases in which workers were caught bringing alcohol to the camps. In both cases, the workers in question were dealt with, he said.

A Metis himself, he chalked up friction among workers to what happens when two different cultures mix together. He said if he had known about what was happening, he would have put a stop to it.