Yellowknife (July 12/04) - The K'asho Got'ine want the Dehcho to join them in promoting a pipeline access agreement.

Former NWT Premier Stephen Kakfwi was in Kakisa for the Deh Cho Assembly last week, trying to sway leaders to sign on with the agreement, which he said would generate $40 million a year within the Mackenzie Valley.

Kakfwi, who has been hired by Colville Lake and Fort Good Hope -- the K'asho Got'ine -- to advance the access agreement, said the K'asho Got'ine Dene are aiming to have the terms of their access agreement adopted throughout the Mackenzie Valley.

Combined, the K'asho Got'ine territory and the Deh Cho would comprise approximately 63 per cent of the proposed pipeline route, forming what Kakfwi described as a "formidable alliance."

Herb Norwegian, Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations called the access agreement "attractive."

Like the K'asho Got'ine, the Dehcho First Nations has so far refused to sign on with the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, which is offering a one-third aboriginal share in the pipeline. Norwegian said the APG deal doesn't grant the Deh Cho enough control over the 40 per cent of the pipeline to cross its territory.

Kakfwi said if the access agreement is accepted, then the K'asho Got'ine may look upon the APG deal more favourably.

Jim Antoine, who is working for the APG as a consultant, reminded the Dehcho delegates the APG deal is better than the "big, fat zero" aboriginal groups got from the oil pipeline running south from Norman Wells.

Bob Reid, president of the APG, said one-third ownership in the pipeline will result in a long-term dividend as long as natural gas is flowing.