Yellowknife (Oct 09/06) - Two Deh Cho region first nations are looking to join on as part owners of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson and the Acho Dene Koe First Nation in Fort Liard will form a joint business entity that will go after the region's ownership share of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG).

No strangers to the oil and gas industry, the First Nations in Fort Liard and Fort Simpson have created a business entity that aims to join the Aboriginal Pipeline. - photo courtesy of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Chiefs from both communities went to Calgary and met with the APG in late September to acknowledge their communities' interest in the pipeline, said Chief Keyna Norwegian, of the Liidlii Kue First Nation.

"This is the right decision to have made," she said.

The APG has time lines for its goals like any other business, said Norwegian, adding now was the time for her band to begin the process of becoming a member of the APG.

The Dehcho First Nations, which represents 10 groups in the region, was given until July 31 to join, but the group declined and let the deadline pass without signing.

Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian and Acho Dene Koe Chief Harry Deneron could not be reached for comment. By forming a business entity, Keyna Norwegian hopes to open the door to other Deh Cho groups hoping for a way to eventually sign on with the APG.

Letters have been sent out inviting them to participate in the venture.

Jim Antoine, former NWT premier, has been hired to assist in the creation of the company.

The Deh Cho region is entitled to a 34 per cent share of the APG. Three other groups have signed on to date including the Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and the Sahtu.

While there is interest in the APG, Norwegian said this new initiative will not get in the way of negotiations on an access and benefits agreement with the Imperial.

"This is strictly a business deal," she said."I will not support the pipeline as a whole before access and benefits agreements are made."