Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 24/05) - Members of the Arctic Indigenous Youth Alliance say cancellation of the Mackenzie Gas Project would make them very happy.

The effects of the gas project was the main topic of conversation at an alliance conference held in Yellowknife, Oct. 15. The future of the project has been under intense speculation lately, with many wondering whether it will ever happen.

Two elders and 10 youth, aged 16 to 28, from various NWT communities, gathered at Trapper's Lake Lodge over the weekend.

"If the pipeline was cancelled, I would be so happy," said Mandy Bayha of Deline.

Elder Persis Gruben of Tuktoyaktuk shared stories about the changes she's seen in the land since the building of the DEW line.

The youth at the conference talked about different options for future development, but they aren't sure the pipeline will be cancelled.

It is inevitable that the Mackenzie Gas Project will go through, said Brent Wolki of Tuktoyaktuk.

"They (oil companies) will never stop until they get their way," Wolki said.