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----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Hund" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 10:04 PM
Subject: [AEDF] Deh Cho Files Court Action on Pipeline Review
The Deh Cho First Nations filed a statement of claim in the Supreme Court of
the Northwest Territories today on the review process for the proposed
Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
"We have been forced to this action by the federal government," says Herb
Norwegian, the DCFN Grand Chief. "We have tried all other routes to pursue
our legitimate desire to have representation on the panel to review this
project. We have a responsibility to our people to represent their
interests. Forty percent of this proposed pipeline will cross Deh Cho lands.
We could not just sit and watch as other people made the decisions on what
is best for us."
The DCFN had asked the federal government to be allowed to participate in
the appointment of two people to the seven-member panel that was set up to
review the proposed pipeline. That is the same allowance as was given to the
Inuvialuit Game Council, representing the interests of Inuvialuit people,
further north along the pipeline route.
"We are being discriminated against because we do not have a settlement of
our land and governance rights," notes Grand Chief Norwegian. "This is
clearly against section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that says
'Every individual is equal before and under the law'. It also is against
section 35 of the Constitution Act which recognizes and affirms our
aboriginal and treaty rights".
The statement of claim asks the court to consider granting an injunction,
stopping the pipeline review until the Deh Cho First Nations are included in
the review process. Alternatively, it asks the court to consider giving an
order that invalidates any decision reached by the review panel.
"We are simply asking the court to recognize our right to have a say in
this project," says Keyna Norwegian, chief of Liidli Koe First Nation in
Fort Simpson. "This is the biggest development project to ever hit the Deh
Cho. It has the potential to totally change our lives. We need a voice in
this process."
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Herb Norwegian, Grand Chief, Deh Cho First Nations (867) 695-2355
Keyna Norwegian, Chief, Liidli Koe First Nation cell (867) 444-7076
www.dehchofirstnations.com
Native News North
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