CHN PRESS RELEASE: NORTHERN GATEWAY PROJECT DEAD AND MORATORIUM COMING

We are very pleased to see the government turn down the Northern Gateway Pipeline.  It comes at a cost:  Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Expansion and Line 3.  There is still more work to be done.

Please see the new Press Release from the Council of the Haida Nation on Trudeau’s announcement.  According to CHN President Peter Lantin:

“There has to be a better government-to-government consultation process to deal with these projects before they get rolling,” said Lantin. “Avoiding this type of confrontation through frank dialogue will result in more common ground. Protecting the coast and the waters surrounding Haida Gwaii is paramount for our Nation. But within this framework there is room to develop practical solutions and resolve issues nation-to-nation and to do that we have to talk.”

British Columbia Supreme Court Decides That The Province Cannot Abdicate Its Authority

[Originally published on mondaq, February 23, 2016]

Recently the British Columbia Supreme Court (“Court”) released its reasons for judgment in Coastal First Nations v. British Columbia (Environment), 2016 BCSC 34. The BC Environmental Assessment Office (the “EAO”) had entered into an equivalency agreement (the “Agreement”) with the National Energy Board (“NEB”). The Agreement allowed for the EAO to rely on an environmental assessment from the NEB related to Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project (the “Project”). The   Court found that the Province of British Columbia had abdicated its statutory duties and breached its duty to consult with the Coastal First Nations when it signed and failed to terminate the Agreement that provided the NEB with sole jurisdiction over the environmental assessment decision-making regarding the Project.

Ride the Tide 2015 Gets the No Tanker Message Out

On Friday July 3rd, Haida Gwaii came together on Masset inlet to show their support for a Tanker-Free ocean, and rode the tide from Gaauu (Old Massett) to Masset harbour.  Part of Pull Together’s “Week to End Enbridge,” the ‘Ride the Tide’ event shaped up in true Haida Gwaii style with Christian and Candace’s Haida Canoe alongside paddle boarders and kayakers from across the islands.  There was a crush of people, naaniis (grandmothers), youth and spectators all along the shore following the action and cheering on the paddlers.

A huge thank you/haw’aa to Christian White and Candace Weir for bringing the canoe out.  As well to Guy Kimola for documenting the event so well, and Jim Hart and his crew for coming out to show their support.  Haw’aa to Harmony and Old Massett Youth Centre for providing rides.  A big haw’aa/thank you to all who came out to paddle and take show that Haida Gwaii stands unified in protection of our waters!

 

No Uncertain Terms: A CHN Letter to Enbridge

Please read the latest letter from the CHN presenting the affirmation by Haida Hereditary Chiefs, Band Councils and citizens stating the continuing role of the Council of the Haida Nation in representing all Haidas, and their continuing opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project.

Read the letter here:  Enbridge Letter 2015-06-28-FB

Coastal First Nations Say Eagle Spirit Pipeline Announcement Is Misleading; Pipeline Has No Support on BC Coast

First Nations opposition to heavy oil exports on the BC coast is unanimous, including in Eagle Spirit President’s home community of Lax Kw’alaams.

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA (February 12, 2015) – The Coastal First Nations say a recent announcement by Eagle Spirit Energy Holdings Ltd. is misleading because it ignores unanimous opposition among First Nations communities on the BC coast.

“There isn’t a single First Nation on the coast of BC that supports oil exports,” said Art Sterritt, Executive Director of the Coastal First Nations. “There also isn’t anything new in this announcement. Eagle Spirit is bringing forward the same interior First Nations that supported the Enbridge pipeline, and glossing over the fact that opposition among First Nations who oppose heavy oil pipelines is stronger than ever.”

Eagle Spirit Energy Holdings Ltd. President, Calvin Helin, is from Lax Kw’alaams, a First Nation community located North of Prince Rupert whose territory includes the proposed location of the company’s export terminal at Grassy Point. First Nations leader and Mayor of Lax Kw’alaams, Gary Reece, has made it clear in conversations that his community does not support oil exports through its traditional territories.

Lax Kw’alaams Hereditary leadership is also opposed to the proposed pipeline.

“In meetings with Eagle Spirit and publicly, we’ve stated time and again that we don’t want oil to come through our territory,” said Murray Smith, elder and Tribal Speaker of the Hereditary Chiefs of Lax Kw’alaams. “Nothing will change our minds because the chance of losing our ocean resources is very high. We’ve got clam beds, we’ve got salmon passing through. What part of ‘no’ does Eagle Spirit not understand?”

Opponents of the pipeline note the fact the announcement was made in Calgary.

“Until they can stand up in British Columbia and announce that they have the support of First Nations on the coast, their proposal is dead in the water, just like Enbridge’s Northern Gateway,” said Art Sterritt.

Contact Information:

Art Sterritt
Executive Director
Coastal First Nations
604-868-9110

Getting the No Enbridge Message Out in Skidegate

Artists and community came together in Skidegate recently to create a colourful sign with a clear message: “Haida Gwaii United Against Enbridge.”  An impromptu session, the painting was sparked by a group of individuals disheartened by Harper’s recent approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline. The group got the materials together to get started and artists Corey Bulpitt, Fanny Aishaa, and Rob Geary heard about it and volunteered to help out. With the support of the Skidegate Youth Centre space, the artists led participants in the design and spray painting of the banner. The Haida Gwaii Against Enbridge banner saw it’s first public appearance in the march at Hospital Days in Queen Charlotte.