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Oil and Gas

Judicial Review of Coastal GasLink Pipeline Filed

MEDIA RELEASE                                                    

December 18, 2014
For Immediate Release

PDF Version

Judicial Review of Coastal GasLink Pipeline Filed

Dakelh Territory, Prince George. Today, Nadleh Whut’en and Nak’azdli First Nations, both of which are members of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, filed for judicial review of B.C.’s decision to issue an Environmental Assessment Certificate for TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project. The decision to litigate was only arrived at by the Nations after they exhausted all other possible options to work with B.C. to ensure that their concerns about the Project’s impacts to their respective territories would be addressed.

The Project would cross approximately 200 km of the Nations’ unceded lands and waters, and create a new corridor in an area already heavily impacted by development. The Nations, and other Carrier Sekani member Nations, have serious concerns about how the Project and other regional development will impact fish and wildlife already in decline in CSTC territory. These concerns were raised, but not addressed, during the environmental assessment. Rather than working with the Nations on a government-to-government basis to address these and other concerns that were being raised by them, the Project was instead rushed through a defective and inadequate environmental assessment process. In doing so, B.C. also failed to meaningfully consult and accommodate the Nations.

Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh commented that the decision to litigate was not arrived at lightly: “We took every step possible to make our concerns known to B.C. and to work with the province to have our concerns addressed. Unfortunately, B.C. rushed the Project through the environmental assessment process and left us with no other option.” Chief Fred Sam of Nak’azdli stated: “We provided the Ministers with four expert reports that show how the Project could impact our territories, and our Aboriginal title and rights. The Ministers ignored the reports and issued the Certificate for the Project without even talking to us. That is not honourable.”

“We are not against development”, added Chief Sam. “Industry is just as frustrated as we are with how B.C. is managing its relationships with First Nations, especially after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Tsilhqot’in case this year. The B.C. environmental assessment process has failed us again.”

CSTC and its other member Nations fully support the Nations’ decision to file the judicial review. Tribal Chief Terry Teegee stated, “CSTC and its member Nations have been raising serious concerns about the environmental assessment of this and other natural gas pipelines being proposed in CSTC territory. B.C. has refused to address those concerns in any way. Those environmental assessment processes have merely provided our member Nations with an opportunity to “blow off steam” on the way to a predetermined outcome – an approval of yet another major project in our territory without any meaningful regard to our Nations’ concerns.  This approach is putting the entire LNG play in B.C. at risk. We would look forward to an opportunity to work with B.C. to ensure that our concerns are meaningfully addressed.”
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Contact:
Chief Fred Sam, Nak’azdli First Nation. Cell: 1-250-996-3772. Chief Martin Louie, Nadleh Whut’en. Cell: 1-250-570-7759. Tribal Chief Terry Teegee, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.  Cell: 1-250-640-3256.
Link to related CSTC Media Releases: http://www.carriersekani.ca/news/cstc-responds-to-cglp-ea-certificate-issuance
Link to BCEAO CGLP site: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_home_392.html
Map of CSTC Territory and Natural Gas Projects Proposed in Northern BC

Dakelh Territory, Prince George. Today, Nadleh Whut’en and Nak’azdli First Nations, both of which are members of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, filed for judicial review of B.C.’s decision to issue an Environmental Assessment Certificate for TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project. The decision to litigate was only arrived at by the Nations after they exhausted all other possible options to work with B.C. to ensure that their concerns about the Project’s impacts to their respective territories would be addressed.

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Listen up: A First Nations message for the oil patch

JEFFREY JONES
CALGARY — The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Dec. 04 2013, 6:13 PM EST
Last updated Wednesday, Dec. 04 2013, 6:30 PM EST

At a business conference in the Alberta Rockies last week, some of Canada’s heaviest hitters in energy offered their renditions of essentially the same tune.

Market access was the topic, and the consensus among the premiers of Alberta and New Brunswick as well as bosses at the largest pipeline and oil companies was that we as a nation should have it.

That means oil flowing to where it will fetch its highest price, whether that means the coasts of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico or Pacific. The result: jobs and a stronger economy across the country.

A key reason for snags, they agreed, is opponents have swayed some of the public against their well-backed-up assertions that the oil sands are being developed responsibly, and the industry is bringing all available technology to bear in cutting carbon emissions and transporting the stuff safely.

Then Miles Richardson stood up and abruptly changed the tune with the most important reminder of the day – that any road to riches in Asia for the energy sector passes through numerous First Nations territories, and major long-standing problems need to be solved first. Mr. Richardson knows whereof he speaks. A former president of the Haida Nation on the B.C. coast and a former chief commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission, he talks passionately about his people’s ancient connection to the land and how the relationship between B.C. native groups and Ottawa is broken.

Many in the oil patch see native resistance to projects as a soft obstacle to overcome. It’s anything but. It’s a legal problem that could push back by years the Alberta-based industry’s bid for market access, something that has already caused much friction with aboriginals.

So, Mr. Richardson said: Listen up.

Canada has dragged its feet for decades as natives on the coast sought treaties to spell out their relationship with the rest of the country. The absence of settled claims actually gives First Nations rights and title to all aspects of traditional lands, courts have ruled.
His point is that failure to reach deals only makes life messier for companies as they fear economic windows closing before multibillion-dollar projects can get built.

“If there isn’t an agreement with government, First Nations are going to have a view on whether a proposal ought to proceed and, if so, they’ll lay out terms on how it can proceed,” he said in an interview. “If agreement can be reached, great. If it can’t, nothing’s going to proceed.”

Of course, the constitution requires that aboriginal people be consulted on resources projects, something that federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver has acknowledged often. There’s no widespread agreement, though, on what constitutes consultation: Does it mean informing communities or getting support?

Mr. Richardson contends that First Nations have nothing less than veto power.

“I’d make the case that First Nation jurisdiction is every bit as good as the Crown’s. That’s why we need to negotiate treaties and reconcile them so all of society has the same rules,” he said. “In the absence of treaties, which sort these issues out, groups like industry are caught in the middle and are going have to deal with both parties.” So where does this leave the oil patch, as it seeks to get oil and gas to the coast on proposed pipelines such as Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway?

Late to the party, for one thing. Northern Gateway, facing a regulatory decision this month, has been in the works since the start of the last decade, though the B.C. treaty process has plodded along for much longer. Some native leaders have already promised court battles if pipelines are approved.

This week, Doug Eyford, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s special envoy to West Coast First Nations, is due to release a report on strategies for getting aboriginal people to support development projects and share in benefits.

Mr. Richardson said the industry would do well in that regard to back First Nations in their quests for treaties, as opposed to viewing them as hurdles that need to be cleared to proceed with pipelines. “That’s their call, if they want to start over. But the path they’re on is the path to one of the biggest battles we’re going to see in this country, as far as I can see.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/listen-up-a-first-nations-message-for-the-oil-patch/article15772976/

t a business conference in the Alberta Rockies last week, some of Canada’s heaviest hitters in energy offered their renditions of essentially the same tune. Market access was the topic, and the consensus among the premiers of Alberta and New Brunswick as well as bosses at the largest pipeline and oil companies was that we as a nation should have it. That means oil flowing to where it will fetch its highest price, whether that means the coasts of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico or Pacific. The result: jobs and a stronger economy across the country. A key reason for snags, they agreed, is opponents have swayed some of the public against their well-backed-up assertions that the oil sands are being developed responsibly, and the industry is bringing all available technology to bear in cutting carbon emissions and transporting the stuff safely.

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Alberta/BC Framework Agreement Does Not Meet First Nations Conditions

PDF Version
For Immediate Release
November 6, 2013

Alberta/BC Framework Agreement Does Not Meet First Nations Conditions

Dakelh Territory/Prince George BC –This week the provinces of British Columbia (BC) and Alberta agreed to a framework agreement on oil pipelines.  The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) remains steadfast with its members that are absolutely opposed to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, or any other heavy oil pipelines proposed in CSTC territory.

Tribal Chief Terry Teegee stated, “The BC/Alberta Framework Agreement hasn’t met First Nations’ condition of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).  FPIC is an international standard that is much more than ‘consultation’, it’s about the need for ‘shared-decision making’ authority on natural resource development. Our communities have made an informed decision that the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project is not worth the risk.”

BC set out 5 conditions for heavy oil pipeline projects like the Enbridge Northern Gateway and Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Expansion to be approved by BC.  The Alberta government is leading the charge on a national energy strategy, which BC has agreed to participate in its development.  The CSTC and its member First Nations have not been invited nor involved in development of either of these strategies.  The rights of First Nations, and all Canadians, are subverted by these strategies as they are focused on liquidating our resources for short-term gains by multi-national companies, and foreign companies owned by governments.

“Clark and Redford’s idea of expediting the approval of the Enbridge Northern Gateway won’t work”, stated Teegee.  Over 130 First Nations communities, several municipal governments, and a large majority of BC citizens oppose the Enbridge project.  “We will use any means at our disposal to ensure that our lands and waters are protected for today and future generations.”  Teegee concluded, “We encourage those British Columbians and Canadians to assert their collective disapproval of these types of projects, and participate in the upcoming National Day of Action: Defending our Climate.”

The CSTC and other organizations have planned a rally on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at the Prince George Civic Centre, starting at 1:00 PM.  The rally includes a march to MP Dick Harris’ Office, to bring the message of ‘Defending our Climate’ as well as confirming once again that the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project is not worth the risk.

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For Further Information Contact:
Tribal Chief Terry Teegee, office 250-562-6279 ext. 223, cell (250) 640-3256

Dakelh Territory/Prince George BC –This week the provinces of British Columbia (BC) and Alberta agreed to a framework agreement on oil pipelines.  The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) remains steadfast with its members that are absolutely opposed to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, or any other heavy oil pipelines proposed in CSTC territory.

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BC First Nations Liquid Natural Gas Summit

BC First Nations Liquid Natural Gas Summit:
Collaboration on Natural Gas Opportunities
Hosted by: Carrier Sekani Tribal Council
Civic Centre, Prince George – October 9-10 2013
PRESS RELEASE
October 9, 2013
Summit sets out future for LNG decisions

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, B.C. – First Nations, governments and developers took a major step today towards making sure First Nations are properly informed and equipped to make decisions about proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) developments in Northern B.C.

Chiefs from First Nations affected by the developments and major energy companies were joined by the Japanese Ambassador, Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver and BC’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad.

Tribal Chief Terry Teegee from the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, which hosted the event, said: “This is a great first step. Never before have so many of the people involved in a process like this come together to talk about how we might move forward. These decisions are decisions of the people, so today we have started to find ways of making sure they are involved.”

British Columbia has become a focal point in the global race to provide LNG to the Asian market. Presently there are 12 players in B.C. with proposed projects to ship LNG to Asia. If built, these projects will impact around the points of gas extraction, along the gas pipelines and around ports and shipping routes.

First Nations leaders continue to meet tomorrow (Oct 10) to discuss next steps and to map out ways of making sure that communities are involved in and understand any decisions made. Further announcements on this process are expected in the coming weeks.

You can keep up to date with developments and join the discussion on Twitter @firstnationslng using the hashtag #firstnationslng. You can also find information on the program’s Facebook page – search First Nations LNG Strategy.

Notes for editors:
Images, video and audio from the day will be available. For more information contact Juli Holloway or Andrea Zazzi at Coppermoon Communications: juli@coppermoon.ca / andrea@coppermoon.ca; 1 877 475 0754.

If you would like to speak to someone at the event, contact Richard Truman: richard@coppermoon.ca 1 778 929 1662.

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, B.C. – First Nations, governments and developers took a major step today towards making sure First Nations are properly informed and equipped to make decisions about proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) developments in Northern B.C.

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Media Advisory FN LNG Summit

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

PDF VERSION                                                           
October 4, 2013
B.C. First Nations Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Summit
First Nations come together to discuss energy development in the province

 

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, B.C. – The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council will be hosting the B.C. First Nations LNG Summit for First Nations, provincial, federal and international governments, and proponents of natural gas developments in Prince George, B.C.

The invitation-only two day event is designed to build relationships between First Nations communities, governments and developers to address the many complicated challenges and opportunities associated with these large projects.

WHO: Delegates will include federal and provincial government ministers, First Nations leaders, LNG proponents as well as Japanese ambassador His Excellency Norihiro Okuda.

WHAT: A press conference to discuss the LNG Summit and its outcomes; and the opportunities and impacts of LNG development with First Nations, government and developers.

WHY: This is the first time that all governments and industry in the LNG debate have come together in one place to discuss the associated risks and benefits. It is hoped that it will outline if large-scale development of LNG infrastructure in B.C is both realistic and achievable.

WHERE: The Civic Centre is located at 808 Civic Plaza, Prince George, B.C. (http://princegeorgeciviccentre.ca/planning/Pages/Location.aspx). Spokespeople will also be available for limited phone interviews. Please contact us to arrange.

WHEN:
Press conference: 11:50am, Wed., October 9, 2013.
Event: Wed., October 9 (open sessions); followed by closed discussion sessions on October 10.
Contact:
If you wish to attend the press conference, would like more information or would like to set up a phone or online interview, please contact Richard Truman or Juli Holloway at CopperMoon communications on 1 877 475 0754. Email richard@coppermoon.ca or juli@coppermoon.ca

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, B.C. – The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council will be hosting the B.C. First Nations LNG Summit for First Nations, provincial, federal and international governments, and proponents of natural gas developments in Prince George, B.C.  The invitation-only two day event is designed to build relationships between First Nations communities, governments and developers to address the many complicated challenges and opportunities associated with these large projects.

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Group sues over Harper limits on pipeline hearings

BY PETER O'NEIL, VANCOUVER SUN AUGUST 13, 2013

OTTAWA — A Vancouver-based environmental group is challenging the federal government’s limits on participation in hearings for projects such as Kinder Morgan’s proposed pipeline to ship bitumen crude from Alberta to British Columbia.

ForestEthics Advocacy, represented by prominent lawyer Clayton Ruby, filed an action in the Federal Court of Canada in Toronto on Tuesday seeking to have 2012 legislation limiting who can participate in hearings struck down as unconstitutional.

The claim targets changes to the National Energy Board Act that limit participants to those who are “directly affected” by a project or have “relevant information or expertise.”
ForestEthics is also challenging a nine-page NEB form that prospective interveners must fill out that says broader environmental issues related to pipelines, including climate change, won’t be considered by the regulator.

Both the law and the form violate free speech provisions in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, according to the ForestEthics court submission.
The lawsuit directly relates to Calgary-based Enbridge Inc.’s application to reverse the flow of an existing line in Central Canada, but B.C. environmentalist Tzeporah Berman said the NEB policy applies to future hearings, such as those for the Kinder Morgan project.

She warned that the changes could cut the number of participants in future hearings by 90 per cent.

“It’s McCarthyesque,” said Berman, a member of ForestEthics Advocacy’s board. “Why are we as taxpayers paying for this as a public process if we’re not allowed to voice our concerns within that process? It’s not fair, it’s not objective.”

But Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said the legislation was necessary to stop environmental groups like Berman’s from abusing the system to stall projects with a flood of public interventions.

“Focusing submissions ensures the review is informed by the facts material to the scope of the hearing and protects it from being used as a tool to delay decisions,” he said in a statement.

Kinder Morgan plans to file its application to the NEB later this year, seeking permission to twin its existing pipeline to Burnaby, B.C., at a cost of $5.4 billion. If approved, the company projects the pipeline will triple capacity to almost 900,000 barrels a day starting in 2017.

“This is hugely relevant to the Kinder Morgan pipeline,” she said.

Berman bases her warning about Kinder Morgan’s project on a comparison between two Enbridge Inc. endeavours — its proposed Northern Gateway pipeline from Edmonton to Kitimat, B.C., and its bid to reverse the flow of a 639-kilometre stretch of pipeline from North Westover, Ont., to Montreal.

Berman said 4,455 people made submissions to the Northern Gateway review panel, which operated under the old rules. That included 1,544 who provided oral submissions. (The NEB was unable to confirm those figures Tuesday.)

By contrast, only 60 got intervener status to appear at the hearings for the Ontario-Quebec project. Another 110 were allowed to submit letters of comment, according to the NEB.
The plaintiff in the ForestEthics case, Donna Sinclair of North Bay, Ont., was one of eight applicants who was told she didn’t have expertise and couldn’t prove the Ontario-Quebec pipeline affected her. Sinclair, according to Berman, wrote on her application that she wanted to raise climate-change concerns.

Other applicants, such as Sierra Club Canada and the Council of Canadians, were denied intervener status but were told they could submit letters.

The federal government’s 2012 changes to the NEB act were preceded with complaints that environmentalists had “hijacked” the Northern Gateway process.
Oliver said Tuesday the Northern Gateway experience proves changes were necessary to avoid bogging down costly public review processes. He said more than 95 per cent of aspiring interveners in Enbridge’s pipeline reversal proposal were allowed to make submissions.

While many of Northern Gateway’s political opponents dismiss the federal review panel as biased in favour of Enbridge, Berman confirmed that the panel process was politically useful for the environmental movement.

“The increased public debate that we had as a result of the Northern Gateway process being open to the public perhaps contributed to the fact that many people now believe that pipeline is now dead.”

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

OTTAWA — A Vancouver-based environmental group is challenging the federal government’s limits on participation in hearings for projects such as Kinder Morgan’s proposed pipeline to ship bitumen crude from Alberta to British Columbia.  ForestEthics Advocacy, represented by prominent lawyer Clayton Ruby, filed an action in the Federal Court of Canada in Toronto on Tuesday seeking to have 2012 legislation limiting who can participate in hearings struck down as unconstitutional.

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CSTC Unity on Pipelines

May 27, 2013
                                   
CSTC Unity on Pipelines

PDF Version

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, British Columbia.  Canada. It’s time that Premier Christy Clark meet with the CSTC Chiefs to discuss natural gas pipeline proposals impacting CSTC member First Nations territories.  The CSTC First Nations are unified and adamant that these natural gas pipeline projects will have a challenges ahead without our free, prior and informed consent.

Tribal Chief Terry Teegee stated, “We have been meeting with our leaders, and are unified in our approach to understand the cumulative impacts from all these proposed natural gas pipelines.”  Teegee continued, “We’ve also been meeting with the natural gas pipeline companies. Some have been better than others, but all must provide sufficient time and resources for our people to review these projects.”

“We are not against development, however we need to have sufficient time to conduct our studies and inform our membership,” said Chief Fred Sam of the Nak'azdli First Nation, which could be impacted by several natural gas pipelines being proposed, and the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.  The natural gas pipelines include: Pacific Trails Pipelines (Chevron/Apache), Coastal GasLink Pipeline (TransCanada), Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project (TransCanada), and Northern Gas Transmission Project (Spectra). 

Dolly Abraham, Chief of Takla Lake First Nation and CSTC Vice-Tribal Chief warned: “The media is misleading everyone suggesting that Enbridge Northern Gateway has a chance of being built under Christy Clark’s leadership.  We have already done an assessment and have found that it is not worth the risk.”  Chief Dolly added, “We are united.  We have had a lot of broken promises from the Crown and industry, and we must be meaningfully consulted and accommodated.”

Chief Martin Louie of the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation said, “We have recently met with Doug Eyford, Special Envoy to Prime Minister Harper.  We let him know our collective views on the energy corridors for oil and natural gas pipeline infrastructure.  The federal government has a lot of work to do with our Nations to ensure that there is equitable revenue sharing and shared decision-making on these major projects.” 

“We are being pressured by various projects, including natural gas pipelines.  Deals are being made on the coast and upstream in northeast BC.  We are in the middle and will require new precedents and processes if these projects are to be viable”, said Chief Reg Louis of the Stellat'en First Nation.  He further stated, “We are very interested in hearing from the new BC government on their views on how BC will change its policies on revenue sharing, and shared decision-making with our First Nations.”

“Tl’azt’en Nation stands with our brothers and sisters to the north, south, east, and west on a unified front.  Industry and the Crown must engage our First Nations prior to any permits being issued.”  He added, “We don’t want to be forced into an either or scenario.  Our land and waterways are under threat, and we must have cumulative impact assessments completed in order to understand how these projects will impact future generations.”

Chief Stanley Thomas of the Saik’uz First Nation said, “The Crown has been negligent and absent in meaningful discussions with our people.  The land question has not been resolved in our territories.”  He added, “Christy Clark must improve the BC government’s approach in dealing with our people.”

Tribal Chief Teegee concluded, “It’s premature for the Crown and natural gas pipeline companies to think that all these projects will happen without our consent or meaningful involvement.  Our First Nations have decision-making authority.  We will not be pushed aside, nor will our decision-making authority be fettered by divide-and-conquer tactics.  Our people and leaders are united.”

Some of the current natural gas pipeline proposals include:
• TransCanada – Coastal GasLink Project, runs near existing png pipeline ($4B)
• TransCanada – Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project, runs north of Takla Lake ($5B)
• Apache/Chevron – Pacific Trails Pipeline, similar route as Coastal GasLink Project ($1.5B)
• Spectra Energy – runs north of Takla Lake, similar route as Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project ($8B)

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Media contacts: Tribal Chief Terry Teegee:  Office (250) 562-6279.  Cell: (250) 640-3256

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, British Columbia.  Canada. It’s time that Premier Christy Clark meet with the CSTC Chiefs to discuss natural gas pipeline proposals impacting CSTC member First Nations territories.  The CSTC First Nations are unified and adamant that these natural gas pipeline projects will have a challenges ahead without our free, prior and informed consent.

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Yinka Dene Alliance: Time for Enbridge to give up on Northern Gateway

Yinka Dene Alliance: Time for Enbridge to give up on Northern Gateway

BY MARTIN LOUIE, FRED SAM, DOLLY ABRAHAM, STANLEY THOMAS, KAREN OGEN AND RALPH PIERRE, CALGARY HERALD 

MAY 8, 2013

 

 

Yinka Dene Alliance: Time for Enbridge to give up on Northern Gateway

 

Chief Ta'Kaiya Blaney, from Sliammon B.C. and members of the Yinka Dene Alliance arrive after marching from the Legislature to the Enbridge Building to protest against the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline in Edmonton on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Photograph by: John Lucas , edmontonjournal.com

 

Today, May 8, the Enbridge board of directors is meeting with shareholders in Calgary for the Enbridge annual general meeting. In the past, we, the chiefs of the Yinka Dene Alliance, have personally attended this meeting to explain to Enbridge senior management and shareholders why our communities have rejected the Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker project. We have decided not to be with you this time, but our message today, as always, is that this and any other oil pipeline will not cross our homelands in British Columbia.

With the Yinka Dene peoples in the lead, First Nations voices of opposition are joined with those of oilsands workers, local governments, and citizens of every walk of life — from economists to environmentalists — across the country. We all know that this project will not be completed.

We, the Yinka Dene peoples, are standing up to protect the land for our children and the children of everyone in British Columbia. We have repeatedly said that your company and the provincial and federal governments are not prepared for the devastating effects of an oil spill on our lands and waters if the Northern Gateway project were to be built. During March and April, in addition to the high-profile spill in Mayflower, Ark., there have been at least nine other spills from ruptured oil and gas pipelines in North America, three of them in Canada. Contaminated water from tarsands processing was also discharged into the Athabasca River, which supplies the drinking water of our relations, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

Our lands are precious to us. We will rely on our constitutionally protected title and rights and on our own laws to protect our lands from desecration. That means that the legal impediments you face in getting this project approved are potentially insurmountable. More than 160 First Nations have signed the Save the Fraser Declaration and are standing together with us to say no to the Northern Gateway project, based on our indigenous laws. We are the wall through which the Northern Gateway pipeline will not pass.

The people of British Columbia and Canada have stood shoulder to shoulder with us to support us in our struggle. More than 100,000 people across Canada have signed petitions that recognize our decision to ban this project from our territories. B.C. mayors have stood on stage with us to condemn the Enbridge project as one that puts too much of our common future at risk. The Union of B.C. Municipalities has called on the provincial government to use everything within its powers to prevent the transport of bitumen through our lands and waters.

We have met with provincial and federal politicians who oppose this project, sharing our concerns about the peril that exporting more bitumen presents for Canada’s economy, local ecosystems, our greenhouse gas emissions targets, and the health of communities stretching from Alberta’s oilsands to B.C.’s coast and beyond. The fate of pipelines to the West Coast has become a defining issue in the upcoming B.C. election.

Your project has been called a “dead pipeline walking” by industry analysts. Business journals across this continent have described the bungling way in which you have dealt with First Nations and the lack of “social license” for this project. They have already concluded that, regardless of the recommendation made by the joint review panel or the decision of federal cabinet, this project will not see the light of day.

It’s time for Enbridge as a corporation to have a frank conversation with its shareholders: the Northern Gateway pipeline is a project without a future. Now is the time to come up with an exit strategy, one that works for First Nations, the people of B.C. and your shareholders. Rest assured that when you make the announcement that you have decided not to proceed, we will be the first to congratulate you on your sound judgment and business acumen. We will be happy to acknowledge that you have made the right choice, the responsible choice.

And until then, we and our supporters will continue to say what we have said since this project was announced. The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline will not be built across our lands or through our waters.

Snachailya, Mussi cho’ (Thank you very much, you have done us a great favour.)

 

Chiefs of the Yinka Dene Alliance: Chief Martin Louie, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation; Chief Fred Sam, Nakazdli First Nation; Chief Dolly Abraham, Takla Lake First Nation; Chief Stanley Thomas, Saik’uz First Nation; Chief Karen Ogen, Wet’suwet’en First Nation; Chief Ralph Pierre, Tl’azt’en First Nation. The Yinka Dene Alliance includes Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli, Takla Lake, Saik’uz, Wet’suwet’en and Tl’azt’en First Nations in northern B.C. that have banned the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline from their territories as a matter of indigenous law.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald   

Read more:http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Yinka+Dene+Alliance+Time+Enbridge+give+Northern+Gateway/8350564/story.html#ixzz2SqLaVwn1

Today, May 8, the Enbridge board of directors is meeting with shareholders in Calgary for the Enbridge annual general meeting. In the past, we, the chiefs of the Yinka Dene Alliance, have personally attended this meeting to explain to Enbridge senior management and shareholders why our communities have rejected the Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker project. We have decided not to be with you this time, but our message today, as always, is that this and any other oil pipeline will not cross our homelands in British Columbia.

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Ottawa names liaison with First Nations

Ottawa names liaison with First Nations
Vancouver lawyer will discuss environmental and economic issues related to oil and gas

BY PETER O'NEIL, VANCOUVER SUNMARCH 20, 2013
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Ottawa+names+liaison+with+First+Nations/8124182/story.html

The Harper government's second announcement in as many days aimed at winning British Columbians' trust on oilsands pipelines was greeted Tuesday with praise by Enbridge Inc. and with skepticism by a West Coast First Nations leader.
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, in a speech in Terrace, announced the appointment of a “special federal representative” to talk to B.C. and Alberta First Nations about natural resource developments – including the proposed $6.5 billion Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline to Kitimat. Vancouver lawyer Doug Eyford will report to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Oliver called the announcement “historic” and timed at a “seminal moment,” according to the text of the speech.

Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the B.C. First Nations Summit, was skeptical.

“Those are pretty creative adjectives,” he said.

He said the Harper government's efforts to consult First Nations on natural resource projects fall short of what the Supreme Court of Canada has said is necessary.
“I think the standard of engaging is not to wave a paper under their nose and throw a few trinkets their way, and think it will satisfy First Nations. You have to engage at a level far deeper than that,” John said.
On Monday, Oliver announced a series of initiatives to give Canada a “world-class” tanker safety system.

He said Eyford will meet with aboriginal communities affected by proposed oil and natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas plants, ports, and related infrastructure. Eyford will examine ways to meet environmental concerns and come up with better business and job opportunities for aboriginals in B.C. and Alberta. Eyford will also work with the two provincial governments that are feuding over Northern Gateway.

He is to give Harper an interim report by June 28, and a final report by Nov. 29.

“His vision, professionalism and sense of balance and fairness will, once again, deliver results for First Nations and all British Columbians,” Oliver said of Eyford, who since 2007 has been a federal land claims negotiator in B.C.
Enbridge executive vice-president Janet Holder issued a statement praising the government for taking an initiative “to remove barriers to market access for the greater good of British Columbia and Canada.”
New Democratic Party MP Nathan Cullen, whose riding includes Kiti-mat, said Oliver's efforts in B.C. won't change the hostile attitude of many British Columbians towards the project.

He described the appointment as another attempt by the government to help Enbridge make its case that First Nations have been adequately consulted.

“Subsidizing a multibillion-dollar company seems a bit tough when the federal government is cutting everywhere else,” Cullen said.

Harper has made clear that one of his top priorities is to ensure Alberta's oilsands get a better price for diluted bitumen crude, which now goes mostly to U.S. customers at a discounted price.
But proposals by Enbridge and by Kinder Morgan, which wants to twin its existing pipeline from near Edmonton to Burnaby, are controversial in B.C. Many critics say industry and the federal and Alberta governments have been unable to obtain a “social licence” due to opposition from First Nations, environmental groups, and ordinary British Columbians.

poneil@postmedia.com twitter.com/poneilinottawa Blog: vancouversun.com/oneil

The Harper government's second announcement in as many days aimed at winning British Columbians' trust on oilsands pipelines was greeted Tuesday with praise by Enbridge Inc. and with skepticism by a West Coast First Nations leader.
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, in a speech in Terrace, announced the appointment of a “special federal representative” to talk to B.C. and Alberta First Nations about natural resource developments – including the proposed $6.5 billion Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline to Kitimat. Vancouver lawyer Doug Eyford will report to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

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CSTC Invites Dr. James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues

CSTC Invites Dr. James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues

PDF Version – Press Release

Open Letter – PDF Version

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, British Columbia.  Canada. The Chiefs of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council have extended an invitation to Dr. James Anaya, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues to come visit with the CSTC Chiefs and its members.  The CSTC request is part of several others from First Nations in BC and Canada, including a recent one from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).  There however seems to be a delay by the Government of Canada in processing the formalities needed by Dr. Anaya to visit First Nations peoples in Canada.

Tribal Chief Teegee said, “It’s an important time for our people to have Dr. Anaya visit our communities.  There are so many major projects being proposed on our lands including 5 natural gas pipelines, Enbridge’s doomed project and several mines.” Canada needs to commit to allowing Mr. Anaya an opportunity to meet with First Nations in BC and in Canada.

In addition to natural resource projects, the CSTC is concerned too about all the murdered and missing women in northern BC.  Highway 16, which crosses the CSTC territory, is also known as the Highway of Tears, a notorious region known for women and girls going missing or murdered.  In February 2013, Human Right Watch released the report: Nilhchuk-un: Those Who Take Us Away, which CSTC participated in its development.  This report makes several recommendations to the government, RCMP and the United Nations Human Rights Council, regarding the urgent changes needed to address the abuses to First Nations women and girls by the RCMP.  The report also echoes the call for a national inquiry into the missing and murdered indigenous women across Canada.

“We are concerned that the Harper government is delaying Dr. Anaya’s paperwork in order to enter Canada.  Canada still has a long way to go to change the historical systemic racism of its policies and practices against Indigenous peoples in Canada.  We need to continue to make our voices heard and go to the international level to expose the world to the human rights violations facing our peoples,” said Chief Karen Ogen of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.

“The CSTC Chiefs would be honoured to host Dr. Anaya in CSTC territory.  We will work with the Canadian government to ensure that he is allowed into Canada to meet with our people,” stated Tribal Chief Terry Teegee. 

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Media contacts:  Tribal Chief Terry Teegee:  Office (250) 562-6279.  Cell: (250) 640-3256
Chief Karen Ogen: (250) 251-2240

More info:  Open Letter to Dr. Anaya.  Union of BC Indian Chiefs. http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/News_Releases/UBCICNews02141301.html#axzz2NpXqzyR8

Dakelh Territory, Prince George, British Columbia.  Canada. The Chiefs of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council have extended an invitation to Dr. James Anaya, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues to come visit with the CSTC Chiefs and its members.  The CSTC request is part of several others from First Nations in BC and Canada, including a recent one from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).  There however seems to be a delay by the Government of Canada in processing the formalities needed by Dr. Anaya to visit First Nations peoples in Canada.

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Growing Number of First Nations Across North America Gather In Ottawa with Unified Message

Growing Number of First Nations Across North America Gather In Ottawa with Unified Message – “No More Tar Sands Expansion, No Pipelines”

For Immediate Release

March 20, Ottawa – Chiefs and hereditary leaders from ten First Nations with traditional territory in the tar sands and on tar sands pipeline routes in western and eastern Canada and the United States gathered in Ottawa today to deliver a clear and unified message: tar sands pipelines will not pass through their collective territories under any conditions or circumstances. The First Nations signed two historic agreements pledging their mutual support to one another in their respective battles to protect their lands, water and health from proposed tar sands projects.

“The International Treaty to Protect the Sacred from Tar Sands Projects and Save the Fraser Declaration are rapidly gaining international support across Canada, the US and beyond. Whether or not Prime Minister Harper or President Obama approves the Enbridge, Kinder Morgan, the Keystone KL or the Enbridge Line 9 pipelines, they will not pass through our collective Aboriginal Territories under any conditions or circumstances,” said Hereditary Chief Phil Lane Jr., Ihanktonwan Dakota signatory of the International Treaty to Protect the Sacred from Tar Sands Projects, whose traditional lands include the ecologically sensitive Ogallala aquifer along the route of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Representatives of the Yinka Dene Alliance, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Yankton Sioux Nation and the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation stood together to demand a cap to tar sands production and say no to further projects.

“Forcing these projects through would contravene our Indigenous laws and our decision-making rights under the Canadian constitution and international law. We have said no, and we call on the Canadian government to recognize and respect our decisions,” said Chief Martin Louie of the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, which lies in the path of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline. 

The Yinka Dene Alliance, the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation and the Yankton Sioux Nations of South Dakota engaged in mutual signings of the Save the Fraser Declaration and the International Treaty to Protect the Sacred from Tar Sands Projects, instruments asserting the illegality of tar sands projects under these nations' own Indigenous laws. Leaders fighting the effects of environmental degradation on their rights and culture stressed that building more pipelines will increase tar sands production and destroy Indigenous communities.

“The Canadian government is spending a lot of money and time in the United States saying the tar sands are environmental and well-regulated, but my community — the polluted air we breathe, the polluted water we drink, the miles of toxic lakes — is living proof the Canadian government is telling one long, expensive lie,” said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Alberta.

Four pipelines are being proposed to transport tar sands oil: Enbridge Northern Gateway,  Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain, Trans Canada Keystone XL, and the Enbridge Line 9 reversal. First Nations represented along all of these proposed pipelines rejected efforts by government and industry to greenwash these projects and to push them through without consultation, stressing that Canada's energy program must change to meet the challenges.

“We must ensure a clean and healthy world for future generations by providing different solutions. Together we are more empowered than apart. Our resistance is strong and growing and we believe we will succeed,” said Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, which is opposing Kinder Morgan's new pipeline.

The Alberta tar sands currently produce approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, but if industry and government's expansion plans are approved that number could reach six million barrels per day. Analysis by the Pembina Institute shows the projected emissions from the tar sands are increasing Canada's overall emissions. If the tar sands were capped at the current production, Canada's emissions would decrease – not enough to reach the government's 2020 target, but enough to stop Canada from going backwards.

The Save the Fraser Declaration is an Indigenous law declaration banning tar sands pipelines and tankers from crossing British Columbia, signed by over 160 First Nations and supporters since its creation in 2010. The International Treaty to Protect the Sacred Against Tar Sands Projects is a treaty of peace and mutual defense concluded in January 2013 between the Yankton Sioux and Pawnee Nations, marking the 150th anniversary of a historic peace treaty between the two nations and committing signatories to defending their territories and sacred sites from tar sands infrastructure.


For more information, please contact:
Geraldine Thomas Flurer, 250-570-1482

March 20, Ottawa – Chiefs and hereditary leaders from ten First Nations with traditional territory in the tar sands and on tar sands pipeline routes in western and eastern Canada and the United States gathered in Ottawa today to deliver a clear and unified message: tar sands pipelines will not pass through their collective territories under any conditions or circumstances. The First Nations signed two historic agreements pledging their mutual support to one another in their respective battles to protect their lands, water and health from proposed tar sands projects.

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AFN Statement on the Appointment of Special Federal Representative on West Coast Energy Infrastruct

March 19, 2013

AFN Statement on the Appointment of Special Federal Representative on West Coast Energy Infrastructure

(Ottawa, ON) – “Without a doubt, recognizing First Nations’ rights and responsibilities and fully engaging First Nations is essential to achieving mutually beneficial approaches to sustainable resource development. Today’s announcement of a Special Representative to undertake direct discussion with First Nations while affirming the need for environmental protection and full respect for inherent and Treaty rights is a promising development. At the same time, the Government must be seized with the need for substantive change addressing outstanding land issues through comprehensive claims reform and treaty implementation. We will remain vigilant on this process and insist on the greatest possible engagement, openness and transparency to support First Nations rights and interests to be maximized.“

It is estimated that over $650 billion worth of resource development projects in the coming years will affect First Nations territories. “It will be critical to these projects, and to the Canadian economy, that First Nation people and concerns be addressed respectfully,” said AFN Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis. “Our peoples need to be full partners in development. With partnership comes full participation from revenue sharing to ownership, from employment to environmental stewardship.”

“First Nations seek full compliance and respect for constitutional and all obligations of the Federal Government as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In addition, it is acknowledged in the January 11th meeting with Prime Minister Harper, First Nations will continue to press forward to this government of the profound benefits to working in good faith on all matters that affect our lands, our rights and our people,” said AFN National Chief.

“Certainly one of the biggest public policy issues facing all British Columbians is pipeline development and tanker traffic, and whether or not bitumen and other products can be moved safely across our lands and waters and whether the risks are worth it,” said AFN BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould. “For most First Nations the decision has already been made – that the risk is not worth it. Others are still considering their options. All are doing so based on their Aboriginal title and rights, including treaty rights, as the legitimate stewards of their lands and waters.” Wilson-Raybould continued, “Mr. Eyford has his work cut out for him. We look forward to reading his report assuming it will be made public. Ultimately, accommodating our Nations can only occur with recognition of our rights followed by reconciliation with the Crown.”


The Government of Canada appointed The Special Federal Representative, Douglas Eyford, to engage with First Nations communities in British Columbia and Alberta on future energy infrastructure development. The Special Federal Representative will report directly to the Prime Minister and will issue a Final Report by November 29, 2013.


The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @NCAtleo, @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

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Contact information:

Jenna Young AFN Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca

Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 6
13-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca

(Ottawa, ON) – “Without a doubt, recognizing First Nations’ rights and responsibilities and fully engaging First Nations is essential to achieving mutually beneficial approaches to sustainable resource development. Today’s announcement of a Special Representative to undertake direct discussion with First Nations while affirming the need for environmental protection and full respect for inherent and Treaty rights is a promising development. At the same time, the Government must be seized with the need for substantive change addressing outstanding land issues through comprehensive claims reform and treaty implementation. We will remain vigilant on this process and insist on the greatest possible engagement, openness and transparency to support First Nations rights and interests to be maximized.“

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