Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Feb 22/02) - "We need to do a lot of training," Pehdzeh Ki Chief Percy Hardisty said.

After hearing about the promise of the region's abundant natural resources at last week's Deh Cho resource development conference, Hardisty reflected on how Wrigley is grappling to carry out its own projects.

The band has already secured two bridge contracts and plans to delve into highways and tourism, not to mention oil and gas. However, the challenge is to marshal the human resources and the necessary infrastructure, he said.

"You can plan all you want but if you don't have enough resources, what do you do?" he asked. "I believe we've done enough planning, now we have to implement.

"We cannot sit back and hope that a miracle will be worked somehow."

The importance of jobs cannot be overestimated, Hardisty said. It makes people feel good to put in a full day's work, he said.

"You feel like you've accomplished something," he said.

Don Antoine, manager of employment and training for the Acho Dene Koe, said Fort Liard has been struggling for years to fill the numerous jobs associated with the oil and gas industry.

"It's not going to happen overnight," he said, adding that political issues have to be settled. "You have to work together," as First Nations and with industry.

Rita Cli, chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, said the conference was a real eye-opener.

She learned about the numerous services required to run a drill rig, and she found out there are emeralds on LKFN traditional territory.

"And we want to development (them) because who's going to gain? It's the kids of tomorrow," she said at the tail end of the three-day conference, which cost $50,000 to $60,000 and was paid for by the federal and territorial governments.

The Deh Cho First Nations' interim measures agreement has mechanisms to allow First Nations to proceed with development as they choose, said Jim Antoine, RWED minister and Nahendeh MLA. Regardless, the GNWT is taking measures to ensure the traditional economy survives, he said.

"We're going to put some emphasis on trapping programs and arts and crafts like moose-hide tanning," said Antoine.

He said the environment will be closely monitored as well.

"We need to know what's out on our land so when development does happen we know its impact and how to measure it," he said.