Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Feb 08/02) - The Liidlii Kue First Nation is rolling out the red carpet to industry and delivering a resounding message.

"We're not against development, we just want to be in control of development," said Rita Cli, chief of the LKFN, which is sponsoring next week's Deh Cho Resource Development Conference along with the Village of Fort Simpson and Metis Local 52.

The Feb. 12-14 conference will bring together Deh Cho delegates, federal government officials, industry representatives and First Nations training and employment coordinators. Oil and gas exploration and development, mining, energy, forestry, eco-tourism and the fur industry are all part of the agenda.

Deh Cho First Nations Grand Chief Michael Nadli, who is scheduled to be a guest speaker on Tuesday, said he plans to review self-government negotiations and explain when resource development is most likely to occur within the region.

"It's very much in our best interest to maintain unity (as a region) at this point (in negotiations)," he said. "If one of our communities breaks ranks, obviously that's going to set a very bad precedent."

Cli said Nadli was invited to convey whatever message he felt necessary. She added that the LKFN is still supportive of the Deh Cho Process "because the Deh Cho Process is (about) land management, not land sales," she said.

"We just want to be in control, that's the bottom line.

"I know we need jobs but we just want to do it right ... we don't want to see another Giant Mine happen."

The purpose of the conference, according to the organizers, is to present an overview of current and potential development, to identify short and long-term employment and business opportunities and to ensure that social and environmental dimensions are not overlooked.

Cli said that technological advances such as helicopter-supported seismic programs can leave much less of an impact on the environment. These are the sorts of things that must be considered, she said.

She added that leaders from the 10 Deh Cho communities will caucus during the week to discuss conditions they want to apply to a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Nadli suggested that the conference in not truly regional. The event has not been endorsed by Deh Cho leaders, he noted.

"This is a community initiative ... to look at how resource development can happen in this region here from one community's perspective, I believe," he said.

Cli said the conference name was chosen because people from all Deh Cho communities were invited.