Inuvik (Feb 24/06) - Support for the pipeline from aboriginal leadership became abundantly clear through eight days of Joint Review Panel hearings and subsequent media frenzy.

Lots of claims were made - both by intervenors and proponents - but many questions about the negative impacts of the project remained.

"As one leader, I will never allow our land to be destroyed, but I know we can control the impacts of the pipeline," said Aklavik Indian Band Chief Charlie Furlong last Friday when the JRP visited Fort McPherson.

Furlong took the opportunity to speak in McPherson because the panel is not scheduled to visit Aklavik until Sept. 15. During his address, Furlong linked the pipeline to a future self-government agreement. "I do not support any self-government agreement without our own source of revenue that would reduce our dependence on government grants."

Providing the biggest contrast between these hearings and the Berger Inquiry days of the 1970s, when environmentalists stood side-by-side with aboriginal leaders in opposition of a pipeline down the valley, is that environmental organizations along with some aboriginal people remain the only voices speaking out against the project.

Additionally, it appeared difficult at times for intervenors to get any concrete information from proponents regarding environmental impacts.

When Paul Falvo of the Sierra Club attempted to get clarification from proponents regarding their claim in the Environmental Impact Statement that there would be moderate, but no long-term disturbances to caribou and grizzly bear movements, the exchange between Falvo and Imperial Oil's Al Kennedy did nothing to shed any new light on the issue.

And if Falvo appeared to be having a tough go at the hearings, he was getting an even harder time in the media, in particular from Gwich'in Tribal Council President Fred Carmichael.

While speaking to CBC Radio regarding the pipeline and what benefit it would provide the Gwich'in people, Carmichael expressed his frustration with southern environmentalists and their gas guzzling cars. "He (Falvo) came here on a jet plane that polluted the air... if he cared so much about the environment he would've used a dog team," said Carmichael.

President of the NWT Status of Women Council Gerri Sharpe-Staples appeared before the JRP last Thursday and questioned the proponents' Environmental Impact Statement claims that there would be no significant affects on communities' well-being with the pipeline.

"This is unsubstantiated and not based on any facts," she told the panel.

Sharpe-Staples went on to link the influx of more workers from the south - expected to be predominantly male - to an increase in teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases up and down the Mackenzie Valley.

She then implored the panel to, "apply a gender lens to how you view the process," adding that the pipeline would be certain to affect equality of women issues and Northern family life quality in general.

Speaking for Imperial Oil, Randy Ottenbreit tried to assure Sharpe-Staples. "We share common concerns and look forward to future discussions," he said.