LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
With vast natural gas potential, a major silica production project in the works to support rising hydraulic fracturing activity at the nearby Horn River Basin, and at least one advanced-stage mining project, the Deh Cho is on its way to shedding its "have-not" image.
An aerial view of Canadian Zinc's Prairie Creek camp site in August 2006. The proposed Dehcho region lead-zinc mine recently underwent public hearing in Fort Simpson. - photo courtesy of Canadian Zinc
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It has been categorized as a "have-not region" because government makes up the majority of employment in the region, especially in the regional centre of Fort Simpson, said Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche.
However, as major mineral resource projects come online, the region is welcoming economic development and the need for a strong regional development corporation is increasing, Menicoche said.
"The Sahtu has (a development corporation), the Gwich'in have one. It just means communities working together to benefit from big and large projects," he said.
Former Premier Joe Handley, who was in the Deh Cho Feb. 18 and 19 with the Northwest Territories Economic Opportunities Strategies advisory panel, said he was struck by the enthusiasm to harness resource development in the region for the benefit of the people.
"Herb Norwegian, the grand chief, said 'Look, we're not against development, in fact the Dehcho process can go on in parallel with economic development. We need economic development. We need jobs. We need our people to get back out on the land. We need tourism.'
"A very positive statement," Handley said, adding the panel heard from many other people including the chamber, mayor and council.
"One thing they emphasize a lot is people. We've got to find a way of reengaging people into the economy whether it's a job or a business. That was a big piece of what they were telling us," Handley said.
Despite the vast oil and gas potential, especially around Fort Liard and across the border in British Columbia, training initiatives, especially in the oil and gas industry, have been lacking for many years in the region, said Acho Dene Koe First Nation Chief Harry Deneron.
Deneron said he is not sure if the skills exist in the region to take advantage of the job opportunities.
"There is so much opportunity here, jobs waiting, and we don't have the skilled people to go to work," Deneron said. "There will be jobs, but a lot of them will be going south for sure."
Industry, Tourism, and Investment Minister David Ramsay recently told News/North that training is a way to address the economic disparity across the territory. He highlighted training initiatives preparing young people for work at Canadian Zinc's Prairie Creek Mine that he saw during a recent visit to the site.
"It was nice to see young people getting the skills that are necessary that, when the mine does get into production, they're going to have the skills required to be employed there and have gainful employment," Ramsay said.
The advisory panel has been gathering input on economic opportunities at public forums across NWT regions since last December, for the development of a new economic strategy for the NWT.
-- With files from Lyndsay Herman
