This is the second post in a series on the fiftieth anniversary of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, edited by Mark Stoller.
The Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry (MVPI), also known as the Berger Inquiry, was enacted fifty years ago in 1974 by the Canadian government. The purpose of the Inquiry was to investigate the potential impacts of the pipeline and report findings, which would be followed by appropriate actions.
The Inquiry was groundbreaking in its implementation of direct consultation that included hearings with the people of the communities that would be impacted by the project. Dene, Inuit, Inuvialuit, and Métis throughout the Northwest Territories and Yukon were aware that the pipeline would bring change and affect their relationship with the animals and the land. They spoke of their way of life and of knowledge that had been passed to them. Audio recordings of these oral testimonials are culturally invaluable. Their knowledge at that specific moment in time is preserved and available for future generations to hear.
Library and Archives Canada’s Collections
Library and Archives Canada (LAC) holds the original collection of Inquiry records, which are managed by the Government Archives Division. The photographs of the land and its occupants bring to the viewer the depth and scale of a region a majority of people will never have the opportunity to experience firsthand.
In researching the LAC records related to the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, early photographs of different areas show the various features of the land and water. The sub-arctic and arctic plains, watersheds, mountains, and rock escarpments are some of the visuals that display a splendid vastness. These features are part of nature’s cycles to provide life and sustenance to the land’s occupants. A symbiotic relationship with the land developed over time.
The MVPI allowed the voices of the original peoples of the land to be heard as they were informed of the details and the impacts of the proposed project.
With land use, comes responsibility and understanding the concept of a natural balance of what the land is able to provide for life to survive while having both flourish healthily. Great changes with new challenges to the regions have occurred since the arrival of explorers as well as unanticipated problems brought by progress of the acceleration of the industrial age.
The photographs gathered here from LAC’s collections show images from the land and people before the pipeline inquiry began. While the inquiry itself has received tremendous popular attention in the years since, these images establish the setting in which the pipeline debate took place. They are a reminder of the strength and endurance of the relationships between the people and the land, and our responsibilities to honour and remember these.
For best results, access the photo collection through a desktop, laptop, or tablet browser.
Listening to the Land: Photo Essay
The proposed route for the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline. Map part of: Northern frontier, northern homeland: the report of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, volume one / Thomas R. Berger. 1977. 
Portrait of Abraham “Abe” Okpik, an Inuk man. Okpik is wearing a dark, fur trimmed parka with fringe and floral embroidery at the chest and shoulders. Photograph was taken in Apex near Iqaluit, Nunavut (formerly Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories). Photographer: Gimpel, Charles, 1913-1973. Mikan 5139619. 
Abe Okpik at home, Frobisher Bay, NWT, (Iqaluit, Nunavut), April 1964 Photographer: Charles Gimpel, 1913-1973. MIKAN 3607001. 
1930-1940 Mackenzie Mountains from Mackenzie River, NWT. MIKAN 5869692. 
Schooners en route to Arctic Ocean, Mackenzie River. MIKAN 3399560. 
Carcajou Rock Below Norman, Mackenzie River. Date: 1921. MIKAN 3327767. 
First Nations (Indian) Camp Near Right Bank of Mackenzie River. Date: 1921. MIKAN 336731. 
Exploratory Survey between Great Slave Lake and Hudson Bay, Districts of Mackenzie & Keetwatin. Cutting wood for Str. “Argo” on Slave River. MIKAN 3389073. 
I-rat-jai-yuk, from the north. Shows how the MacKenzie River undercuts its alluvial banks and brings down timber to spread and driftwood along Arctic Coast on both sides of the Delta Date: 26 June 1910. MIKAN 4359659. 
Ryan’s flat sleighs on the [Mackenzie] River, [N.W.T., 1927.] Date: 1927. MIKAN 3652035. 
First Nation man ice fishing on the Mackenzie River with sled and dogs behind him. Original title: Indian fishing through the ice on the Mackenzie River. Date: 1901. MIKAN 5395251. 
Inuvialuit woman at the mouth of the Mackenzie River. Original title: Esquimaux woman at the mouth of the Mackenzie River, N.W.T. Photographer: Charles W. Mathers, 1868-1950. MIKAN 3377301. 
Reindeer taking part in the Canadian Reindeer Project crossing the Mackenzie River – Richards Island, N.W.T. Date: 1936 Photographer: H. W. Nesbitt. MIKAN 5276696. 
Aerial views of Mackenzie Delta, showing Husky channel, mouth of Rat River and Summit Lake – McDougall Pass. The Husky channel – delta Mackenzie River. Photographer: Oswald S. Finnie. MIKAN 4942674. 
Mud beach and forest on channel leading to East branch of Mackenzie Delta, N.W.T Date: 1923 Photographer: B.H. Segré. MIKAN 3328272. 
View of Mackenzie River Delta from Black Mountain near Aklavik, N.W.T Date: 1923. Photographer: B.H. Segré. MIKAN 3328264. 
Mount Camsell from Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories. Original title: Mount Camsell Date: 1930-1940. MIKAN 5869689. 
Map of the Peel and Wind Rivers, Yukon Territory, To accompany report by C. Camsell, B.A.1905. No.942 Includes Lower Mackenzie Date: 1906. MIKAN 4148333. 
Indian leather work (Date: Ca. 1914). Photographer: Charles Camsell, 1876-1958. MIKAN 3367256. 
Hudson’s Bay Company post at Mackenzie River, Fort Norman. Original title: H.B. Co. Fort Norman Mackenzie River (Fort Norman is now known as Tulita.) Date: Ca. 1901 Photographer: Charles W. Mathers, 1868-1950. MIKAN 5251017. 
Building the framework of our 1911-1912 winter house a short distance from mouth of Coal Creek Horton River about 30 miles south of Langton Bay, N.W.T. Built in general style of log and sod houses of MacKenzie Delta and Arctic Alaskan eskimos. Looking uphill from Creek Date: 20 Sept. 1911. MIKAN 4359660. 
Fee Yee (The Ramparts), Mackenzie River. Original title: The Ramparts Mackenzie River – Fee Yee (The Ramparts) is a canyon-like area with limestone cliffs located by the K’asho Got’ine (Sahtu Dene) and Métis community of Fort Good Hope. Date: ca. 1901 Photographer: Charles W. Mathers. MIKAN 5251008. 
Two Gwichya Gwich’in women, one making bannock, and a girl standing outside of a tent (Tsiigehtchic (formerly Arctic Red River) (N.W.T.): Location: [Tsiigehtchic (Tsiigehtshik, formerly Arctic Red River), Northwest Territories]. Date: 1930. Photographer: J.F. Moran. MIKAN 5276668. 
Gwichya Gwich’in men and boys playing Dene Handgame while a man plays a drum (“Indians gambling at Arctic Red River, Mackenzie District, N.W.T.”) Date:1930. Photographer: J.F. Moran. MIKAN 5276665. 
Sleigh dogs summering at Wrigley Harbour entrance to Mackenzie River, N.W.T. [Huskies] Date October 1923. Location: Wrigley Harbour, N.W.T. Photographer: Guy Houghton Blanchet. MIKAN 3359336. 
Fort Wrigley and Mackenzie River, N.W.T Date: N.D. MIKAN 3550174. 
Dogs tracking Indian birch bark canoes along Mackenzie River, N.W.T. MIKAN 3366982. 
Birch Bark Freight Canoe, Mackenzie River, N.W.T. MIKAN 3392917. 
Dominion Government Forest fire boat on bank, and Hudson’s Bay Company’s steamer “Mackenzie River” in water Location: Fort Smith, NW.T. Date: 1920 Photographer: F. H.(Franklin Hugo) Kitto. MIKAN 5275751. 
Residents lining banks of the Mackenzie River to greet Major-General the Hon. Georges P. Vanier and Vice-Regal party Date: June 1961 Location: Fort Norman, N.W.T. Photographer: Gar Lunney, 1920-2016. MIKAN 3198926. 
Inspection of pipeline. No identification, but part of evidence presented to the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry. A Group of Men Talking With Hardhats [The man in pinstripes, centre-right, is Thomas Berger]. Date: Unknown. a166075 Photographer: Gilbert Alexander Milne. MIKAN 3238079. 
Coating or taping machine used in laying pipeline during ditching operation for a 24″ pipline construction job. Photograph presented as evidence to the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry by G. L. Williams, 21-22 April 1975. MIKAN 3238077. 
Part of 48-inch elevated pipeline with polyurethane foam insulation and polyethylene jacket, during testing. Photograph presented as evidence to the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry by G. L. Williams, 17 March 1975. MIKAN 3238076.
Elizabeth Kawenaa Montour is currently employed by Library and Archives as an Indigenous Research Archivist. Her forever homes are Kahnawake (by the rapids) and Tiowero:ton (where the winds blow) in the Laurentians. Her education and work have been in the museum, conservation and archival areas. The goal of her research work is to contribute information and knowledge for those who seek the truth.
Feature image: Residents lining banks of the Mackenzie River to greet Major-General the Hon. Georges P. Vanier and Vice-Regal party Date: June 1961 Location: Fort Norman, N.W.T. Photographer: Gar Lunney, 1920-2016. MIKAN 3198926.
