News Release
January 28, 2013
Dakelh Territory, Prince George, British Columbia. Canada. The Chiefs of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and their members are concerned about the growing pressures from the various gas pipelines that are being proposed through unceded lands of CSTC member First Nations. To date there are three new proposals including two from TransCanada, and one from Spectra.
Tribal Chief Terry Teegee stated, “We are raising the alarm that these projects are at risk. While there has been some initial discussions with CSTC and our member First Nations there are no agreements in place for our First Nations to review or understand the cumulative impacts from these proposed projects.”
“We are not against development, however we need to develop strong partnerships and need to be involved even before the assessment processes begin.” said Chief Fred Sam of the Nak’azdli First Nation. “We need a government-to-government agreement to discuss the impacts from these potential projects.”
Dolly Abraham, Chief of Takla Lake First Nation and Vice-Tribal Chief of the CSTC warned, “We will not be divided. We are unified in our approach in wanting to protect our lands and water. We must be provided the capacity resources to understand the impacts of these natural gas pipelines.” She added, “Some of these companies have started field studies. You are trespassing on our lands. We have no agreements in place, and we have not been consulted.”
Chief Martin Louie of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation said, “These major projects cannot be built without our free, prior and informed consent.” He also noted, “We will lead our own assessments and studies to understand how all of these projects impact our lands and waters.”
“Our waterways and lands are what we are. Companies need to talk with us, and have agreements in place before they start any work. Otherwise they may face setbacks.” Said Chief Ralph Pierre of the Tl’azt’en Nation. He added, “The Crown must also be at the table to provide resources to our First Nations in order to understand the revenue sharing opportunities. It goes without saying that the governments of BC and Canada are already concocting a plan for these gas projects in the north.”
Chief Reg Louis of the Stellat’en First Nation said, “The Crown needs to be proactive in meeting with our people. The government has stripped the environmental protections and assessments through Bill C45, only to make it easier for these projects to get approved.” He further stated, “Our people are stewards of our lands and resources. While we are willing to do business, it cannot be at the expense of our environment and future generations.”
Tribal Chief Teegee concluded, “The BC and federal governments need to meet with our Chiefs. The upcoming election in BC cannot be used as a venue to make promises to gas and LNG companies on issues impacting the CSTC territory.” Chief Teegee said, “Gas pipeline companies are placing our communities under duress, and we’re also concerned about the short and long term impacts to our environment, and our Aboriginal rights and title.”
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)
All of these gas pipelines require the proper studies, managed by CSTC First Nations, especially cumulative impacts to aboriginal rights, title, wildlife and socio-economic benefits. There is also a growing concern about the hydro-fracking techniques used to extract the gas from the earth. In 2013 the CSTC will work with industry, government and its First Nations to understand the impacts from these gas pipeline projects.
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Media contacts: Tribal Chief Terry Teegee: Office (250) 562-6279. Cell: (250) 640-3256
Vice Tribal Chief Dolly Abraham: (250) 961-0579
Chief Martin Louie, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation: Cell: (250) 570-7759