Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Feb 25/02) - Deh Cho riches were unveiled at a recent conference in Fort Simpson where industry representatives teamed up with regional leaders.

"We need to do a lot of training," Pehdzeh Ki Chief Percy Hardisty said.

Hardisty heard about the promise of the region's abundant natural resources at last week's Deh Cho resource development conference. He said Wrigley is grappling to carry out its own projects -- two bridge contracts and plans to delve into highways and tourism, not to mention oil and gas. But 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.

The importance of jobs cannot be overestimated, Hardisty said. It makes people feel good to put in a full day's work, 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, and added that political issues have to be settled.

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 Deh Cho territory.

The three-day conference cost $50,000 to $60,000 and was paid for by the federal and territorial governments.

Shane Parrish, CEO of the Acho Dene Koe Group of Companies, made it clear to Imperial Oil's Joanne Nutter that Fort Liard wants to employ its companies in the land and environmental aspects of the pipeline project as well as any other possible employment and training.

The Deh Cho First Nations, on the other hand, are missing out on opportunities by refusing to support the pipeline, said Parrish.

"I question the (usefulness) of saying no. If you're looking for a welfare cheque, sure ... What are you telling your people, 'Sit on your hands?'" he said. Parrish added local people missed out on opportunities associated with the Norman Wells pipeline decades ago.

"If you're waiting for the day when they start laying pipe, it's too late," he said.