Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Nov 12/01) - Hay River's extensive trail system expanded its way through West Point's traditional land without permission, says Chief Karen Thomas.

One of the newest trails goes through an area the band wants turned over so West Point can expand.

"This is a pretty big concern. It runs right through our traditional land and we weren't even notified. That really upset us, this is our home," Thomas said.

To accommodate the town, she said West Point even built an alternative trail at its own expense.

Hay River Mayor Duncan McNeill said the band's trail is not usable because the route did not have enough cover to keep people from sinking into the marshy ground.

Recreation Director Ron Cook, who is also NWT's representative for the Trans Canada Trail, said trails would never get built if he worried about politics. He said he figured it was okay because all the trails his department built are within town boundaries.