Pipeline money won't last

Monday, February 20, 2006

I am writing in response to Dayna Lennie's letter to the editor dated Feb.
6. [the Yellowknifer]

When I opened the newspaper that day, I had no idea I was to read such a
moving letter that Ms. Lennie wrote. She had a lot of important points to
say and that made me realize the magnitude and effect of my own awareness
and concerns that others do not know themselves. To me, when this pipeline
issue is mentioned, it is clearly being said that no one knows anything.
Everyone thinks that the Mackenzie pipeline will bring us money, joy and
happiness. But is that the case?

Sure the economy will be good for the people, but after a while more
problems will arise. Problems with alcohol, drugs and abuse will get even
worse than they are now. Every time I open up something with the Mackenzie
pipeline on it, it says the same thing. Is anyone ever going to talk about
the negative aspects of the pipeline? Is anyone even getting prepared for
such a big development? Are people training for the problems that this
pipeline will bring? Are we even ready?

To me, the leaders are talking time after time about this and a lot of
community members are going along with it just because the "leaders are
saying it." I do not agree with what is being said about "us up here." I'm
sure the people will agree with me on this. I have spoken to a lot of people
since the Feb. 6 print of News/North.

When I think about the pipeline, all I see for my future are problems. And I
see leaders standing by and not helping our people where and when they will
need it the most. Money seems to be the number one and only issue here. What
about the mere social and living conditions of our communities? What about
our losing identities and languages being prepared for the next generation?

The money will not last forever, but our people will be here for
generations. It is my generation that will have to deal with all this.

We do have a beautiful land and the power to protect it. Why are we going to
put a pipeline through it? Why are we going to destroy whatever habitat that
we have for the sake of a pipeline? I don't think any of this is even worth
all the money in the world that the governments or the industrial
corporations will give.

I applaud Dayna Lennie for speaking up and giving the strength for others to
step up and share their voices.

Roberta A. Alexie
Fort McPherson