Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Snowdrift (Oct 13/03) - As the Akaitcho Tribal Government is engaged in talks with the NWT Metis Nation and the power corporation to expand the Taltson Dam, Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation Chief Archie Catholique has a plan all his own.

On Oct. 6, Catholique announced that in April of this year his band signed an exclusive hydro development and transmission agreement with Regional Power Inc.

A subsidiary of Manulife Financial, Regional Power develops, builds, refurbishes and operates hydro electric plants.

"Any business development on my traditional territory has to be discussed with us," said Catholique. "I'm open for business -- and not only hydro potential, but other business."

However, it is Lutsel K'e's hydro business plans that are causing concern for the Akaitcho's chief hydro development portfolio holder Jerry Paulette.

"A year ago the GNWT was willing to free up funding so the Akaitcho and Metis could engage in looking at business opportunities, possibly selling power to DeBeers," Paulette said.

"In December 2002 the (Akaitcho) chiefs agreed to work together towards a memorandum of understanding with the other parties and Archie never raised the issue of Regional Power," he said.

The focus of the three-way talks between the Akaitcho, Metis and the power corp. is to look at expanding the Taltson hydroelectric dam in order to supply power for the upcoming DeBeers diamond mine at Snap Lake.

Preliminary estimates peg the cost of the project at $150 million.

In Catholique's press release declaring his band's deal with Regional Power, it stated, "Any other parties anticipating hydro development and transmission on the Lutsel K'e Dene traditional territory must have the participation, approval and consent of the LDFN."

When asked whether this deal was in conflict with his commitment to work with the Akaitcho chiefs, Catholique reiterated his position that any development on Lutsel K'e land must be approved by the band.

Catholique hasn't heard anything from the Akaitcho chiefs regarding Taltson development since December 2002.

While Paulette would not comment as to how the LDFN deal with Regional Power would effect the current discussion process between the Metis and the power corp., he did note his frustration.

"This has put me in a position where I have to defend a process for a business opportunity that is not clearly defined," he said.

"There needs to be more effective communication between Akaitcho chiefs and the Lutsel K'e in regards to hydro," Paulette said.

"I certainly don't want to be negotiating a deal that isn't even done yet, in the media," he said.