[IPSM] Sahtu cuts deal with producers on pipeline

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Introductory rant by Macdonald Stainsby

This deal, while appearing as bad news and obviously not "good", is not
very surprising. The Sahtu settlements are already among the worst in the
entire region, having signed many years ago with little to no control over
their lands. They are directly above/north of the Deh Cho and have
consistently been the most compromised among all the Dene Nations of
Denendeh.
However, the reference the the sidelining of Kakfwi is very interesting;
he is a former Premier of the territory and prior to that, Dene
Nationalist-- his very high profile public life has been filled with
contradiction. Recent times have seen him not decrying a pipeline per se,
but in fact representing a faction who think the current *process* is a
severe evil, demanding greater royalties and even infrastructure building
by pipeline proponents-- such as requiring the building of roads, schools
and hospitals by those who would tear up sacred ground. Further, the idea
is put forward that the process must involve Dene and not go over their
heads. Sidelining him (he's from Fort Good Hope, not a Sahtu community
that is part of this "deal") shows a move on the part of certain sectors
to try and push this through with little to no fanfare, based on almost
any crappy arrangement brought forth. Kakfwi is no opponent of the
pipeline-- but he speaks (and occassionally, though not always, acts) with
a voice that demands inclusion.

Macdonald

Sahtu cuts deal with producers on pipeline

Last updated Nov 16 2005 08:56 AM CST
CBC News
The first access and benefits agreement has been reached to clear the way
for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, and a snap vote has been called in the
affected communities to approve the deal.

Three Sahtu communities, Norman Wells, Tulita and Deline, came to an
agreement with the producers this week.

No one is saying what's in the agreements, which need to be settled before
construction of the $7 billion natural gas pipeline begins.

Negotiators are travelling to Tulita and Norman Wells to explain the package.

People there are expected to vote on the deal Thursday.

The leadership of Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake are now looking at a
deal, and may decide to take it to a vote later this week as well.

The access and benefits agreements are needed to secure aboriginal support
for the pipeline to pass through their lands. The agreements would ensure
communities maximize their benefit from the pipeline's construction and
operation.

Imperial Oil is insisting that people in the communities vote on the
proposal, even though such a vote isn't strictly necessary.

"We're looking for agreements that have integrity and agreements that have
credibility and I think ratification by the communities is an important
part of that," says company spokesperson Pius Rolheiser.

He says discussions with other aboriginal organizations in the valley are
at a sensitive point.

No one in the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in or Dehcho regions would comment on the
status of their talks with the pipeline proponents.

Rolheiser says Imperial Oil would like to confirm with the National Energy
Board by Nov. 18 that it is ready for hearings, but doesn't consider that
date a deadline.

Kakfwi sidelined

Meanwhile, a split has emerged in the negotiating team that has been
trying to hammer out an agreement.

Stephen Kakfwi, once described as the district's chief negotiator, has
been downgraded to a "technical advisor".

Kakfwi has been promoting a controversial proposal to tax the pipeline,
which would bring in annual income for the communities.

"Imperial Oil and the federal government have made it clear they're not
happy with my involvement. They've always tried to find a way to get us
out of the picture," he says.

Even the leadership of Kakfwi's home community is distancing themselves
from him. Ron Pierrot, chief of Fort Good Hope, wouldn't say why Kakfwi's
role has changed.

"Somebody who is from the community who doesn't live in the community
shouldn't be identified as speaking for the Kasho Got'ine position,
particularly through the media," he says.

The question about who speaks for the district may be cleared up at a
leadership meeting Wednesday.

--
Macdonald Stainsby
http://independentmedia.ca/survivingcanada/
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope.
--Brecht.