Fort Simpson (Apr 23/04) - Imperial Oil officials left Fort Simpson with a resounding message that the Deh Cho region isn't property of the Crown, but Dene and Metis land.

Senator Nick Sibbeston spoke recently at pipeline hearings in Fort Simpson. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

That theme was underscored by Senator Nick Sibbeston and former MLA Jim Antoine at Mackenzie Valley pipeline hearings in Fort Simpson last week.

"It's not the federal government's land. It's the land of the Dene people... if you just get that straight I think things will go a lot better," Sibbeston told representatives from Imperial Oil and members of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board.

He said corporations must change their philosophy when doing business in the North. Sibbeston wondered why a community like Jean Marie River couldn't use its sawmill to produce all the pipeline skids. Opportunities like that are what is needed to make the project successful, he said, acknowledging that such an approach will be more costly.

"But that's just the cost of doing business in the North," he said, noting that the pipeline will generate billions of dollars in revenue. "We can all win."

Furthermore, Sibbeston, also a former territorial government leader, challenged Imperial Oil's senior vice-president, K.C. Williams, to leave his "lush" Calgary office and visit the Deh Cho in person.

"We need to talk to the top guys," he said. "He needs to be here to deal with the people... he doesn't have the guts. I challenge him."

Antoine, also a former premier, added that Imperial Oil and its partners in the prospective pipeline should have asked First Nations for permission to place a pipeline across their traditional lands.

Peter Grout, manager of regulatory affairs for Imperial's Mackenzie Gas Project, replied that the Producer's Group is following a phase approach. At this point they are determining what they want to do and how feasible it is. If they proceed, then they will look at access issues, Grout said.

He added that Imperial Oil recognizes the Deh Cho self-government process is ongoing. Consequently, the Deh Cho people and the federal government must both be involved in issues surrounding land access. "That's just a reality," he said.