FORT SIMPSON - Progress has been made by Dehcho First Nations leaders on two aspects of the Mackenzie Gas Project.

Leaders made decisions on the access and benefits agreements and the Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts Fund during a special leadership meeting in Fort Simpson from Jan. 23 to 25.

Chief Stan Sanguez of Jean Marie River, left, reacts to a comment made during a group discussion at the Dehcho special leadership meeting while Chief David Etchinelle of the Mountain Dene watches. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

In order to move forward on access and benefits agreements regarding the pipeline, leaders agreed to come together and negotiate jointly, said Grand Chief Herb Norwegian.

"I think people have finally put their differences behind them," he said.

In the next few days leaders are scheduled to discuss putting together a small negotiating team.

Last June, a spokesperson for Imperial Oil stated that the company would prefer to negotiate with the communities through one organization.

At that time negotiating groups included the Dehgah Alliance Society, Wrigley, Trout Lake and the East Dehcho Alliance. In November the Dehgah Alliance Society was closed.

Norwegian said the communities' decision to come together was partially motivated by Imperial's request but also reflected an existing desire to have a joint group.

The $500 million Mackenzie Gas Project Impact Fund, also knows as the Socio-Economic Impact Fund, was the second agenda point for the meeting.

The fund will be established if the pipeline moves forward. The Deh Cho is set to receive approximately 30 per cent or $160 million.

Leaders discussed how to create a group to develop a regional socio-economic development plan for the use of the Deh Cho's share of the fund. Dehcho First Nations has been given $700,000 from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to develop a plan.

Leaders passed a motion to also create a regional committee to oversee the work of this group.

Richard Lafferty of the Fort Providence Metis Council suggested that the role of the regional committee could be linked to the existing investment management board for the Dehcho First Nation trust fund.

Dehcho First Nations will also be nominating two people for consideration as board members in the Corporation for the mitigation of Mackenzie Gas Project's Impacts. Final appointments will be made by the minister of INAC. Individual bands will also be able to nominate a member.

All of this planning is being done so the communities will be ready if the project goes forward, said Norwegian.

"It doesn't mean the Deh Cho are putting their golden seal of approval on the project." he said.

Overall, Norwegian said the leadership meeting was a success and many goals were accomplished.

"I think this speaks to the individual governments and Imperial that when we mean to do business we can."