Fort Simpson (Nov 26/04) - Members of the Deh Cho's Pipeline Working Group have formed a society to pursue benefits from a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

But the grand chief is warning that the move could further fracture politics in the region.

Last week, aboriginal leaders from Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Jean Marie River and Kakisa signed on as members of the society, tentatively called the Dehgah Alliance Society. Keyna Norwegian, who was acclaimed as president of the group, said Trout Lake has also been invited to join.

The communities along the pipeline corridor had to distance themselves from the Dehcho First Nations' court case against the federal government, according to the president. The DFN's legal challenge, which seeks greater representation on a panel overseeing the pipeline environmental assessment, hindered the corridor communities' efforts to attain impact benefits and access agreements from the Mackenzie Gas Project, she explained.

Herb Norwegian, the Deh Cho's Grand Chief, expressed apprehension over the corridor communities striking out on their own.

"It sort of splits the political power right in half. They're going to actually cut their own deal," he said, questioning whether the leaders consulted their respective memberships before going ahead with society.

"Other communities in the outlying areas have always depended on the corridor communities to share the wealth with them, and now all of a sudden they've taken the process hostage," he said.

Keyna Norwegian acknowledged friction with the Deh Cho's other communities -- some of which recently demanded to become part of the pipeline working group -- was paralyzing meetings and assemblies.

"So now we've formed this society and it's a legal body. Those communities on the outside really don't have any say on how we move forward from now on, and we don't have to worry about arguing with them," she said.

However, she conceded the Deh Cho's other communities will also be impacted by the pipeline. Therefore the society will try to achieve more funding to assist them as well, she said.

The Mackenzie Gas Project's application for the pipeline has already been filed "so the clock's ticking," said Norwegian.

"Our mandate is to get the best deal for our members as possible."

There is disagreement within the society as to whether to endorse the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, Norwegian said. All ownership and benefits options will be examined, she said, adding that she still supports the DFN's court case.