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BC First Nation Puts Albertan, Asian Oil Companies On Notice
Media Releases | Office of the Wet'suewet'en | January 15, 2010
CALGARY – A representative of the Wet’suwet’en Nation of northwest British Columbia has traveled to Calgary to personally deliver letters today to several oil companies and the Chinese Consulate. The letters put recipients on notice that support for Enbridge Inc’s proposed ‘Northern Gateway’ oil sands pipeline and tanker project to BC’s coast would be considered direct infringement of the Wet’suwet’en’s constitutionally-protected rights.
As far as the Office of the Wet’suwet’en is aware, this is the first time that a First Nation has directly communicated to potential commercial supporters of the Northern Gateway project.
“The Joint Review Panel agreement for Enbridge’s project is a direct infringement of our Title and Rights,” says David de Wit, Natural Resources Manager for the Office of the Wet’suwet’en.
“We are aware that Enbridge is seeking further commitments from shippers for their Northern Gateway project,” Mr. de Wit continues. “Though we do not know specifically who Enbridge is approaching, we are broadly spreading awareness that we would consider any commitment to the project as direct infringement of our rights by the company in question.”
“We are requesting that companies withhold any further commitment to the project until our Aboriginal Rights with respect to the process and the project have been properly addressed and accommodated.”
Companies and entities initially receiving letters include Shell Canada Ltd, Royal Dutch Shell, Husky Energy, Suncor, Chevron, Imperial Oil, Ivanhoe Energy, Korea National Oil Corporation, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Korea to Canada, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Canada, and China National Petroleum Corporation. Additional copies of the letter may be delivered to other companies or entities in the future.
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Backgrounder
An example of the letters being delivered can be requested from Mr. de Wit
Proposed Pipeline Route through Wet’suwet’en Nation Territory
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Unceded Territory – Much of British Columbia is the un-ceded territory of First Nations, who have never signed treaties with the Crown. The interplay of Aboriginal Rights and Title with the Crown’s claim to title, and authority over resource decision making, continues to create uncertainty with respect to resource projects such as Enbridge’s proposed pipeline.
Opposition to Federal Review Process – The government of Canada has announced a Joint Review Panel (JRP) agreement with respect to the Northern Gateway project. However, as the agreement fails to properly address Aboriginal Title and Rights issues, the JRP process lacks legitimacy. Other BC Nations and entities have also publicly communicated that the JRP agreement is an infringement of Aboriginal Rights, including the Nadleh Whut’en, and Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.
First Nations Opposition to the Project – In June 2009 the Wet’suwet’en hosted other Nations from the tar sands to BC’s coast in an information sharing and strategy session that concluded in the signing of a declaration to stop any plans to transport oil from the oilsands to the Pacific coast. Signing Nations included Alberta’s Mikisew Cree First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Wet’suwet’en, Nadleh Whut’en, Haisla, Gitga’at, Gitxaala and Haida Nation. Video highlights from this gathering can be viewed here [www.dogwoodinitiative.org/blog/closingranks].
Opposition Shared By BC Residents – Polling continues to show that close to three quarters of BC residents support a legislated oil tanker ban on BC’s north Pacific coast (Synovate, 2008); such a ban would preclude any northern oil pipeline and tanker proposal. Both the federal NDP and Liberals have supported such a ban.
Tagged with: first nations, northern gateway, wet'suwet'en
