Torch boycott has little affect in N.W.T.

Inuvik, N.W.T.

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The Northwest Territories government boycotted the Olympic Torch relay after officials learned only a few Native runners would be participating in the run.

However, Bill Erasmus, president of the Dene Nation, said his group would not protest the relay, although they did support the Lubicon Lake Indian band's land claim against the federal government.

Chamber of Commerce executive director Dick Hill called the government decision "stupid and sad," adding that the "majority of people here support the Olympics."