LUTSEL K'E/SNOWDRIFT - Lutsel K'e will not support any transmission line for hydro power from the Taltson River around the East Arm of Great Slave Lake.

"The proposal is too shortsighted," said Chief Steve Nitah of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation (LKDFN).

Representatives of Deze Energy Corporation - the proponent of a $500-million expansion of the Taltson River hydroelectric site and a 690-kilometre transmission line to the diamond mines - attended a public meeting in Lutsel K'e in late March.

"The First Nation after contemplation, not only at the meeting but during the whole process, felt we could not give our support to a transmission line to the east of our community," Nitah said.

Deze Energy's original transmission line proposal was opposed by LKDFN, which objected to it crossing the Lockhart River and Desnedhe Che, the area from the mouth of the Lockhart to Artillery Lake. The people of Lutsel K'e consider it a sacred area.

In September, Deze Energy proposed an alternate route. It would avoid the Lockhart River and Desnedhe Che by veering west just below Charlton Bay and crossing a peninsula at Reliance.

However, Nitah said the alternate route would be inconsistent with what the people of Lutsel K'e want to see in their traditional territory.

Instead, he said Lutsel K'e wants the transmission line west of the community, across the Simpson islands of Great Slave Lake.

The chief said that route would make more economic sense, because, along with the diamond mines, it could provide power to a proposed mining project at Thor Lake by Avalon Rare Minerals Inc.

Plus, he said the route could lead to the power being made available to Yellowknife.

"I think there are more opportunities for investors with a stable market like the City of Yellowknife," he said.

Nitah also said the alternate route around the East Arm would leave a huge footprint on LKDFN's traditional territory.

The Taltson hydroelectric site, 50 km north of Fort Smith, now produces 18 megawatts of electricity. The expansion would add 56 megawatts.

Other Akaitcho First Nations are partners in Deze Energy Corporation along with the GNWT and the Northwest Territory Metis Nation.

Attempts to reach Deze Energy Corporation for comment were unsuccessful.

However, Dan Grabke, Deze Energy's managing director, previously said the island route was considered and rejected.

In January, Grabke said the islands are not in a neat row and would require an extra 100 km of zigzagging line to cover 50 km, adding some towers would have to be 100 metres high.

Plus, the Hearne Channel, which is about two km wide at its narrowest point, would have to be crossed by underwater cable.

The islands route would add about $40 million to the cost of the transmission line.