Item N-2001-016: CN-113B - A) Jim Villeneuve (cont'd.) July 27/83 B) Rod Norwegian July 27/83

• Sound recording

1 audio cassette (47 min.)

This item consists of two interviews with people in Fort Simpson regarding the Norman Wells (IPL) pipeline project, recorded July 1983 by Deena Soicher for the federal "Informational Pipeline" newsletter. The interviews are in English. The original source item is side B of a 90 minute audio cassette. The first two minutes of the recording is pop music, which has been recorded over. The next part of the recording (about 11 minutes) is the second part of a two-part interview of mayor Jim Villeneuve at the municipal office. The interview also includes item CN-113A. Jim mentions that the council has eight members, including the mayor, and continues his description of working with the Band Council. He talks about major issues for the Council, including problems with the municipal water system and trying to get a major recreation facility built. There is some discussion about the average age, ethnic background, and employment of the population. The final part of the recording (about 34 minutes) is an interview of Rod [Norwegian?], owner of a local construction company and service station. Rod was born in Fort Simpson and worked as a trapper, in construction, and for Transportation, before starting a service station at the Liard Highway junction. He later worked as an outfitter for a few years running tours into Virginia Falls. Rod then started buying heavy equipment and moved back to Fort Simpson, buying a service station there and a running a construction company. He turned over operations of the Liard junction service station to his brother Philip. Rod talks about working on the Norman Wells pipeline project, disappointments regarding the opportunities generated by it, the impact of the Berger Inquiry on Fort Simpson, Liard Highway construction, additional development, and Fort Simpson's future. Rod also discusses the difficulty of getting into business and his own difficulties in taking ownership of the Fort Simpson service station. Rod speaks a little about his family, including his daughter who looks after the company books, his parents, and his siblings.