First Nations Respond to Feds Approval of Northern Gateway
Prince George, B.C. – While not surprised by the Federal Government’s decision to approve the Northern Gateway Pipeline, Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief, Terry Teegee says this is far from the final chapter in this story “It’s just started, it will be a few years in the court, probably go to the Supreme Court of Canada and beyond that, we’ll continue our activism, and maybe we should go to China and let those people know how we don’t want this project that they fully endorse.”
The Federal Government announced approval for the project this afternoon, attaching 209 conditions and a call for more First Nations consultation to that approval.
Terry Teegee points out there are still 2/3 of all British Columbians who oppose the project “So I think , potentially there could be a referendum on this project in British Columbia, I think our voices haven’t been heard. Really, it’s a decision coming out of Ottawa that doesn’t serve us, and I think that opposition (to the project) has to come out now.”
He says this decision brings back memories of other major developments like the Alcan development at Kitimat, which First Nations brought to court. He says those court actions have given First Nations even more ammunition “Now we have a lot of court cases and indigenous rights issues that really uphold our rights and title. So I think the tide has turned in terms of our authority and jurisdiction, so I think ultimately that might just kill this project.”
He is also concerned about the impact this decision may have on other major projects, “I think it just might, poison the waters of negotiations with other big projects such as LNG pipelines and other mining projects in British Columbia.”
The next steps will see the matter heading to the Courts. “We’re talking to our First Nations neighbours, we’re really trying to get our legal response straight, in terms of will there be class action lawsuits, a judicial review, there’s already been some that have been initiated” says Teegee. But action won’t be limited to taking the matter to the court. He predicts First Nations people will take the issue to the streets, that there will be more activism “This could be our generation’s Clayoquot Sound if not bigger in terms of this being a battle between industry and the environment.”
Comments
Now why would my tax dollars pay for him to go to China for something that they really don’t care what this guy is going to say?
How do you figure your tax dollars would be spent for him going there?
Wonder how much of this money has found its way into first nation protesters hands
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/01/17/vivian-krause-oil-sands-money-trail/
Its easy to talk the talk, however a little harder to walk the walk.
I think that now this project has been approved by the Fed’s that people will begin to lose interest in it.
At the end of the day, it really is nothing more than a pipeline of which there are thousands and thousands of miles of them, all over the world.
Once again we have a bunch of people, in the North Central BC thinking that they are in the mainstream of the world. Sorry guys/gals, most people in this world do not have a clue as to where we are, or what we do.
Very small fish, in a very big pond, you might say.
Sorry, any opposition to this is good in my books. I like fishing in the Douglas channel; hate to see that ruined.
Why would it be ruined? Do you row when fishing.
Maybe a shiny brand new pick up truck can be used to clinch deals. You can buy my opinion in exchange for one. A nice black $44 thousand dollar one with heated seats and towing package. Well?
Two thirds of the province oppose the pipeline? No one ever asked me. Polls are for dogs.
It takes money to pay for everything that everybody wants from government. You can’t wave a magic wand and create wealth. I understand the First Nations having a problem with the pipeline but drumming in China won’t fix a thing.
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