Letter to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources

July 8, 2004

The Hon. Archie Lang, Minister
Department of Energy, Mines and Resources
Government of Yukon
P.O. Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C9
BY FAX: 393-6252

Dear Minister Lang,

In a letter dated July 7, 2004 the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources chooses to publicly attribute statements to CPAWS-Yukon that our organization did not make.

The Tetlit Gwich'in First Nation's comments which appeared in the June 18, 2004 Yukon News story "First Nations object to Peel oil project" were made by Elaine Alexie, an authorized spokesperson for the Tetlit Gwich'in First Nation.

The Yukon News story states: "The Tetlit Gwitchin tribal council has not been consulted, Elaine Alexie, a spokeswoman for the group, said from Fort McPherson."

For the record, Elaine Alexie of Fort McPherson is working on a project to travel with local youth and elders from Fort McPherson and Mayo down the pristine Wind River. They will be travelling through the traditional territories of both First Nations groups. CPAWS-Yukon, the Tetlit Gwich'in First Nation and others support this project.

The logical and responsible things the department might have done are: read the story accurately and, contact the people interviewed to confirm their views were accurately reflected in it. They might also have contacted the reporter to confirm whom the spokespersons represented. For its own particular reasons the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources chose not to do this, choosing instead to create an issue with CPAWS-Yukon.

For the record, the Yukon News article accurately reflected the views of CPAWS-Yukon. CPAWS-Yukon believes that by accepting the nomination of the area in the Peel watershed, the Yukon Government is putting key Yukon fish and wildlife populations and their habitats at risk. The actions of the Yukon government threaten to degrade ecological, economic and recreational values significant to Yukoners and their families.

Minister Lang, we call on you to publicly retract the letter issued by your deputy minister on behalf of your department.

Sincerely,

Mac Hislop
CPAWS-Yukon

CC: Angus Robertson, Deputy Minister, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources
Tetlit Gwich'in Council
Gwich'in Tribal Council
First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun
Yukon News
Whitehorse Star