With more than 100 protesters and a group of Alaskan politicians in the public gallery, drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was a major issue in the legislature Wednesday.

The demonstrators were there to protest the plans to begin exploration and drilling in part of the refuge for oil and gas.

There is a concern that development in the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd could lead to the reduction and eventual disappearance of animals the Gwitchin people in Alaska, the N.W.T. and Yukon have lived off of for generations.

During question period, NDP MLA Lorraine Peter, a Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation member, asked Premier Dennis Fentie to clearly lay out the government's stance for those gathered.

'We, on this side of the House, recognize how important it is to have positive, respectful relationships with our neighbours,' said Peter, referring to the five Alaskan politicians in the gallery.

'Part of that respect includes being straightforward about where we stand on certain issues, even where we may not agree. Will the premier now state formally for the record that both sides of this House are opposed to drilling for oil and gas in any part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)?'

Fentie replied: 'We have articulated that position not only to our friends and partners from the State of Alaska, we have articulated that position to the national government, and we've even had the good fortune of bringing our position to the forefront, face-to-face with the President of the United States.

'That position is that the protection of the critical habitat of the Porcupine caribou herd is paramount.'

While the Vuntut Gwitchin people have said the concern is that the drilling could take place in the calving grounds, Fentie referred to it as 'critical habitat', which he usually does. He does not usually use the words 'calving grounds'.

But Peter was also concerned with the fact the premier has not travelled to Washington to help the Vuntut Gwitchin in their lobbying efforts to protect the refuge.

'The premier has shown his willingness to go anywhere, any time to promote oil and gas development in the Yukon. He has been willing to accompany the governor of Alaska to Ottawa to lobby for pipelines and railroads. Unfortunately, the premier hasn't yet logged one single air mile on behalf of the Gwich'in people or the Porcupine caribou herd,' said Peter.

'My final question for the premier: will the premier make a commitment right now that any future negotiations on transboundary development issues involving the Government of Yukon, the Government of Canada, the United States and Alaska, will include the Yukon's position against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of the discussion? Will he make that commitment today?'

Fentie replied: 'I would hope that we do not reduce the importance of this issue by maintaining that logging air miles will help bring forward a solution. The government is working very hard with the government that we should work very hard with, the Government of the Vuntut Gwitchin.'

The premier stuck with his statement he has made often, that his government is permitting the Vuntut Gwitchin to take the lead on this matter.

After that question, NDP Leader Todd Hardy pointed out the premier's absence from the rally outside the legislature prior to question period.

'I notice that some of the Alaskan legislators also had the courtesy and the courage to be out there (at the rally). The premier was invited to attend and to speak, but he didn't show up. The premier claims he has raised this issue on many occasions when he has spoken outside the territory, but the question still stands: where and when?' said Hardy.

'He said he brought it up during a very, very brief introduction to President Bush a while back, and he has already belittled the logging of the air miles that my colleague has mentioned. But I would like to see him walk the walk at least once on this issue.

'Why did the premier snub Yukon people by refusing to add the voice of this government on this issue when he had a perfect opportunity to do so just a few steps outside this office?'

In his reply, Fentie did not explain where he was.

'I know the member opposite gets quite emotional when it comes to these matters, but this government is very concerned about the issue of drilling in ANWR. Now, that said, every Yukoner has the right to demonstrate.

'Public demonstration is a fact of our democratic process. It does not obligate, though, or dictate, government representatives to be in attendance,' he said.

Liberal Leader Pat Duncan brought up concerns she has when it comes to ANWR and the new energy cooperation deal with Alberta.

'A recent announcement of this government celebrated a newly-forged relationship with Alberta's Premier Ralph Klein on oil, gas and pipeline development. This new agreement specifically focuses on both parties co-operating while developing northern energy resources,' said Duncan.

'The Alberta government and its premier, Ralph Klein, openly support the Bush administration and their position with respect to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. My question for the premier: has he made Yukon's position on ANWR known to Premier Ralph Klein?'

Fentie quickly replied to Duncan.

'Well, again, Mr. Speaker, the simple answer to this question is yes, not once, not twice, but a litany of times,' he said.

However, Duncan pointed out that Klein favours drilling in ANWR.

'Premier Ralph Klein says the Alberta government supports the Bush administration's position on ANWR and that it is not somehow an Alberta issue. This is a Canadian issue. It's a Yukon issue. If there is a co-operation agreement on energy, as the premier suggests, between Yukon and Alberta, then it is an Alberta issue,' she said.

'What is the value of a northern energy development agreement when two signatories of the agreement come away from the table saying two different things? Would the premier please clarify exactly what was agreed to with respect to resolving these two different positions on ANWR?'

Fentie replied there is no confusion on Alberta nor the Yukon's stances on this matter.