Nahanni Butte (Oct 30/06) - Northern regulators and unsettled land claims will not be allowed to stunt the growth of mining in the Arctic if Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has anything to say about it.

Speaking at an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce event earlier this month, Prentice pointed his finger at outstanding land claims, and what he termed, "unworkable environmental regulations and cumbersome project approval," processes.

He charged they hurt mining development and are not in the best interest of Canadians.

Nahanni Butte residents have been at odds with Canadian Zinc, and its development of the nearby Prairie Creek lead, zinc and silver mine, since a 1996 agreement to work together collapsed. People in Nahanni Butte felt they weren't benefiting from the increased activity on their traditional lands, said Chief Eric Betsaka.

"The minister's comments are unfortunate... He should think before being so pro-development," he said. "He's ignoring half his job."

He suggested that perhaps the time has come to look at splitting Indian and Northern Affairs in two as was done at the territorial level with Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

"You read the department's name - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - and you think it's there to help you," he said. "But then you get bombarded by the economic development side."

Prentice went on to tout the benefits of increased industrial activity in the North and pledged to create opportunities for all Canadians.

"It is that focus on jobs ... in the mining sector that will over time distinguish this government," said Prentice.

While Betsaka knows there is an upside to more employment, he questioned whether the minister fully understood the situation north of 60.

"A lot of communities face social problems right now," he said. "If you don't have a healthy community, how are you going to deal with those extra resources suddenly flowing in?"