Gwich'in say they'll meet Imperial in pipeline talks

Dave Ebner
Globe and Mail
09-Aug-2005

A first nations group in the Northwest Territories is complaining about its negotiations with Imperial Oil Ltd. regarding a land-access deal for a portion of the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline. The Gwich'in Tribal Council said in a in a press release yesterday that negotiating with Imperial "has not been easy." However, the Gwich'in said they would meet with Imperial next week despite their frustrations. The Gwich'in control land near the Mackenzie Delta and a portion of the pipeline would cross their territories. Imperial is the lead proponent of the $7-billion project, which is currently stalled as the company works to get several pieces in place.