Kitamaat, B.C.- The Northern Gateway Pipeline Joint Review Panel  began it’s community hearings this morning following a warm welcome by the Haisla Nation.

The Haisla  welcomed the panel with singers and drummers and a prayer which called on God to  protect the Haisla from the pipeline.

There were 7  Haisla members  scheduled to address the Panel, Chief Samuel Robinson  was the first.

He told the panel  he was born in Kitamaat, and spent his  early  years trapping.  He lamented the loss of the oolichan  fish, lost to pollution. He pointed out special spots along the  Kitimat river and through Douglas channel, carvings  and rocks which  have been used over the years to  share special lessons to Haisla youth, to protect  villages,  “These are our history, I worry about these spots.  These are all the things I’m worried about if they’re covered up with oil.”  

Rod Bolton also  talked  of historical  significance of the territory and  that his concern is the  loss of way of life for the Haisla should there be  a spill of any kind.  He  pointed at Eurocan pulp and paper, a mill  which closed down, but as Bolton  told the Panel,  not before ruining the river.  “I want oil, but I want oolichan oil.”

The Northern Gateway Pipeline  would  see  a twin line built between  Bruderheim Alberta and Kitimat B.C.  One line would carry bitumen  to the west coast for loading on to ships and delivery  to  Asian markets, the east bound line would carry  condensate to thin the  bitumen.  

The Joint Review Panel is expected to release its final decision  in  about 18 months.