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Cece Hodgson-McCauley
Guest comment
Monday, June 11, 2007
I was surprised there was no reporting from the chiefs' meeting in Yellowknife, there was a reporter there? I was looking forward to the MAC Groups presentation on the highway.
I understand the MAC Groups withdrew the resolution because of negative response. I understand the Hamlet of Jean Marie was in favour.
I was surprised that the Dogrib didn't support it especially when they have a highway into this region they will realize the benefits, maybe News/North will do us a favour and put the information on this MAC Group in the paper.
The MAC Groups is the Mackenzie Aboriginal Corporation, in partnership with five southern contractors, specializing in mega construction, Flint Energy Services, North American Construction groups, Peter Kiewit and Sons Co., Ledcor Industries Inc. and Midwest Management.
From what I can gather, this group has the finances and expertise and are willing to make a deal. They should set up a meeting with the PM and his ministers, Prentice and his bureaucrats from DIAND and present a deal that he cannot refuse. A deal that shows the MAC Group is willing to build the extension of the Mackenzie all-weather road to Tuktoyaktuk and also a road from Aklavik to Fort McPherson, with the federal government paying them back over 30 to 50 years, with interest.
The P.M. is a business man. He should jump at the chance. And, if I were the MAC Group, I wouldn't waste one minute on consultation with anyone, there have been more studies done to date, the right of way, every creek and muskeg have also been studied. All they need is the money and the expertise and the will of the federal government.
The pipeline is on hold for a few years. In the meantime, lets jump on the other mega band wagon, the highway, which would be a better deal for the pipeline. As a study done in the late 60s predicted 60 per cent saving on cost of the pipeline. So, let's change positions and put all our support behind this MAC Group in their deal with the Feds to build the road to the resources.
They should move on it right away if they mean business. We have wasted enough years on talk and more talk. The pipeline will be built, they need our gas.
If Exxon Mobil Corporation is threatening to play the poor guy and may shelve the project, people are not blind to the fact these multi-national corporations and their billions in profit each year, and billions they pay to their heads of corporate management.
Aboriginals can find other partners, if they need to they will. There is big rich world out there, hungry for our resources.
I must take my hat off to our MP Bevington for doing a great job speaking up on our behalf. We should gather a delegation with our MP and Premier Handley at the head to go to Ottawa very soon before the MAC Groups change their minds.
Harper is all business, I'm sure it will be a positive meeting and we cannot waste time. We tried with the Liberals for 13 years, some say they slept for 13 years. Just look at our armed forces, pathetic.
Going through the Women Warriors research for the past seven years the North is going to be in trouble if we don't move now to secure and build up and develop out territory. With the climate change in the Arctic it is going to change up there and we need accessibility to move up there and that mean roads - all-weather roads to everywhere.
By the way I hope no money is going towards the diamond mines. The only business government has towards diamond mines is monitoring and setting regulations and it should be all at the expense of the big diamond names.
- Cece Hodgson-McCauley is the founding chief of the Inuvik Dene band and will remain honourary chief for life. She can be reached at fax (867) 587-3003 or by phone (867) 587-3037.