Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Fort Good Hope (June 27/05) - The Nature of Things, hosted by David Suzuki, will broadcast interviews performed throughout the territory last week by Thomas Berger in an episode expected to be aired November 16.

"It's 30 years after Berger's original inquiry so he wanted to see what residents think now about the pipeline," said Betty Harnum, production assistant, who explained CBC- funded tour.

With most land claims settled and aboriginal groups having more control and a higher level of management over the land, Berger and Suzuki were interested to see if opinions had changed.

"He's here on his own initiative," she said. "He's not writing a report, just acting as a sounding board."

The former BC Supreme Court justice, who led an inquiry into the Mackenzie Valley pipeline 30 years ago visited Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake from June 15-20.

Now in Old Crow, Yukon, with Suzuki, the two will travel to the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve in Alaska, on to Inuvik June 27 before they address the Deh Cho Assembly, June 28 in Kakisa and then back to Inuvik June 29 and 30 for more interviews.

Suzuki is examining the potential environmental impacts of oil and gas development.

"It was an honour to have him here," said Fort Good Hope Chief Ron Pierrot, who recounted how Berger, several truckloads of equipment and a film crew spoke with the community before conducting one-on-one interviews.

"There were a lot of mixed feelings, some opposed, some not," said Pierrot. "The opinion seemed to be if we're not going to get a fair share of this deal, what's the point of taking part."

The informal visit, for which Berger's wife was in attendance, provided the community an opportunity to show off its culture with drum dancing, hand games and a feast Friday night.

Berger was treated to a boat ride up the Ramparts the following day where he met with more community members for discussions.

"The community was interested, there was a good turnout," said Leah Grandjambe, who noted 30 or 40 people were in attendance to watch a video of the original Berger inquiry, part of which featured residents of Fort Good Hope.