Natural Resources committee  That's pretty much accurate in more ways than one. They work in the oil sand fields because it provides a secure resource for their family and everything, but keep in mind that we're very traditional and, you know, they see the massive destruction or displacement of lands in that area, and in more ways than one, and they can't say anything because they work in that oil and gas sector and it benefits them, but they know for a fact that we can't overweigh our health concerns in the community over economic prosperity in the region.

Natural Resources committee  I think in more ways than one we're headed down the road to a self-sufficient first nation and how we conduct ourselves just as the people here in Canada do. We're trying to lead by example in regard to how first nations could develop in this region through economic prosperity and through IBAs in general.

Natural Resources committee  I think in more ways than one, the thing that continues to be a burden on our first nation when it comes to economic benefits or IBAs in the area is the fact that industry does not want to pay impact benefit agreements to the first nation. They feel it's a burden to them in regard to how they do their development in our area.

Natural Resources committee  The barrier that we're having is that we're having a hard time obtaining contracts and moving forward as a nation with industry.

Natural Resources committee  As I said, we're working hard in regard to trying to capitalize for our people. Fort McKay has done great things and there are great opportunities for their first nations people because they are pretty much in the centre of, how do you say, the drop-zone in regard to how the economic resources are being developed in that area.

Natural Resources committee  I think it's pretty ironic at this point in time that we have to play off two first nations against each other because of the fact we're known in that area. Like I'm saying—

Natural Resources committee  CAPP, for instance, sent representation to Ottawa in regard to changing the regulatory system when Canada came out with Bill C-45. We know of the individual who went there, but in regard to the name, under the freedom of information act that was taken out. CNRL sent representation to Ottawa, to the energy sector minister, I think it was, in regard to that, and lobbied them to make drastic changes to the environmental system, to make it a lot easier for the regulatory system, for them to get easy access to their what you would call approvals for their projects.

Natural Resources committee  We have to submit our invoices in regard to CEAA in regard to going forward with intervening on most of these projects that are coming out right now. But you have to remember that we have to inject most of our money into it before we can recoup some of it back. We don't recoup 100% of the money we've invested with regard to going into the hearing or going into a proper study of the effects and damage it has with regard to our first nation.

Natural Resources committee  That's the case we're having right now. When we have to defer money into these areas where we have to fight against regulatory systems, we're taking money away from the community, in regard to where we could provide better programs and better services for our people. Therefore, the government is failing us in more ways than one.

Natural Resources committee  Basically, at this point in time if you were to give better support in that area, we would be able to do a comprehensive review of everything that's coming forward. Therefore, in more ways than one, I think ACFN, through our group of companies and through our joint ventures.... Canada benefits quite a bit from it, maybe about $15 million in taxes, yet we as a first nation don't get anything back in return.

Natural Resources committee  Well, this first-class monitoring system that both the federal and provincial governments announced a few years back isn't in place, from either Canada or Alberta. We, the first nations, both the Mikisew Cree First Nation and the ACFN, had to conduct our own monitoring system, which is being conducted right now and has been for the last two years.

Natural Resources committee  Well, we're trying to meet the needs with respect to all the things we've been advocating in the last six years. We need to do what we have to do.

Natural Resources committee  In regard to our people moving in that direction, many of our people are employed in the oil and gas sector. As the chief, I always have to play a balancing act in respect to those who work in the oil and gas sector, and those who still live the traditional way of life. In more ways than one, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is heavily engaged in encouraging our young people to continue their education in order to get better trades and become better equipped to work in the workforce in this region.

Natural Resources committee  We greatly need more capacity in dealing with the amount of development that is occurring in our area to maximize the true benefit in regard to how we will be able to move forward. I truly believe that the regulatory system is failing us in regard to that development and moving that in that area.

Natural Resources committee  Well, I think in more ways than one we're not benefiting in regard to how we're moving in that direction. As I said, we continue to have a hard time negotiating these benefits with industry, when industry does not want to make these benefits with the first nations because of the fact that it costs them an amount of money in regard to moving forward.