Inuvik (Oct 08/04) - Recent court action by the Dehcho First Nations to halt the Mackenzie pipeline hearing process and challenge the legitimacy of the project's joint review panel were the topics of discussion at a recent meeting between stakeholders in Inuvik.

Representing the Dehcho First Nations, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, Chief Keyna Norwegian and regional vice-president of the Assembly of First Nations George Erasmus put forward their view of the circumstances.

"(However), not too much came out of it," said Keyna Norwegian. "We were aware that Fred Carmichael and Nellie Cournoyea, people who have a lot to gain, were unhappy and said that (our action) was not worth risking the pipeline for.

"They said right off the bat that they wouldn't give us support."

Both Carmichael, the president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, and Cournoyea, the chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, were unavailable for comment as of press time.

However, they, along with Sahtu Dene Council Grand Chief Frank Andrew and Sahtu Secretariat Inc. chair Raymond Taniton, issued a press release Friday.

"The three settled land claims expressed their opinion that the legal actions by the Deh Cho represent a threat to the Mackenzie Gas Project and deliberately undermine the rights of the claimant groups and future economic well-being in all three regions," they said in the release.

"Leaders questioned why action was taken by the Deh Cho against a project that can potentially benefit the whole of the Northwest Territories while (the Deh Cho) have not challenged the regulatory review process of significant economic projects such as bridge, road, gas and pipeline developments in their own region."

According to Keyna Norwegian, the Deh Cho are holding fast to their demand for two seats on the joint review panel.

From the beginning, Herb Norwegian has argued that since 40 per cent of the pipeline will cut through Deh Cho territory, it deserves two seats on the seven-member panel.

"We weren't asking for anything more," said Keyna Norwegian.

Originally, the Deh Cho were not given any seats on the panel, merely observer status. After some negotiations, the Deh Cho were offered one seat, but were not permitted to appoint a person.

When asked if there was any middle ground to be found, Keyna Norwegian said she did not think there was.