First Nations Oppose Enbridge Pipeline Project

[admin]

Enbridge Pipeline and Tanker Opposition Mounts as Risks Multiply

First Nations, Unions, Business and Environmental Interests
Deliver Message in Ottawa-Destructive Oil Pipelines and Tankers Not in Canada's Interest

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Mar 13, 2012

A diverse delegation from British Columbia, including First Nations leaders and business, environment and labour groups, are in Ottawa today to send a message that opposition is steadily growing to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker project.

The delegation said the Enbridge project will not be permitted to proceed, according to declarations based on First Nations Rights and Title. The proposed project would trample First Nations rights, threaten thousands of jobs across Canada, and prevent Canada from tackling global warming.

"We will defend our Rights, no matter what bully tactics the federal government throws at us," said Saik'uz First Nation Chief Jackie Thomas, of the Yinka Dene Alliance. "Our decision has been made: Enbridge will never be allowed in our lands."

Beginning in January, an additional 40 First Nations people or groups signed Declarations banning the project, using their own constitutionally-recognized laws, for a total of more than 130 opposed Nations. Four more major B.C. municipalities have also passed recent resolutions against the Enbridge project, adding to the broad resolution of the Union of B.C. Municipalities against tankers. Also, more than 30,000 Canadians have signed a petition opposing the pipelines and tankers since January 6th when the government began its campaign to marginalize opponents. Meanwhile, the Communications, Energy and Paperworks (CEP) Union of Canada, representing 150,000 Canadian workers, including most of the workers employed in the tar sands, is also opposed.

"Canada does not need the Gateway pipeline" said David Coles, President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. "Gateway is contrary to our need for jobs, the economy, environmental protection and First Nations rights; these four pillars have to be the priority."

A recent study estimates that roughly 200,000 manufacturing jobs have already been lost due to Dutch Disease, a syndrome related to the rapid increase in tar sands exports. This problem will escalate with tar sands expansion. In addition, there are thousands of local jobs put at risk by the Enbridge pipelines and tankers.

"The commercial fishing and tourism industries employ 45,000 people in B.C. Enbridge and the federal government want us to risk these sustainable jobs, the fisheries resources, our way of life and our communities for a mere 217 jobs," said Arnie Nagy, United Fisherman's and Allied Workers' Union, which is against the proposed Enbridge pipeline and supertankers.

The delegation met with MPs from the three opposition parties. Nagy and Michael Uehara, President of the multi-award-winning King Pacific Lodge, a tourism leader, requested meetings with Ministers Oliver and Kent, and were refused, yet did meet with Randy Kamp, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence added, "The proposed Gateway project is a gateway alright: a gateway to a future where we destroy our coast with oil supertankers, radically increase the pollution coming from the tar sands and double down on a path toward dangerous levels of climate change."

The delegation referred to a new report by Environmental Defence and Forest Ethics called Our Nation, Their Interest: The Case Against the Northern Gateway Pipeline and Tanker Project. The report documented why Enbridge's proposal is not in the interest of Canadians, from an economic and environmental perspective, despite efforts from the industry and federal government to convince citizens otherwise. It found that the pipeline would carry 100 million tonnes of carbon pollution each year and is premised on a scenario of dangerous inaction on climate change.

The report can be found at www.environmentaldefence.ca/ournationtheirinterest .

The delegation follows new evidence revealed under Access to Information that federal bureaucrats warned the government about the heightened legal risk due to its own failure to provide adequate resources for First Nations to engage in the regulatory process for Enbridge Northern Gateway.


Contacts:
Chief Jackie Thomas
Saik'uz First Nation
Yinka Dene Alliance
250-567-8048

Environmental Defence
Stephanie Kohls
416-323-9521 ext. 232; 647-280-9521 (cell)

Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Canada
Dave Coles
President
613-299-5628

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

April 7th, 2012

Nuxalk Nation is withdrawing from the review of the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline project. Why? . . .

The federal government's "failure to consult honourably".

After being counseled by hereditary chiefs and elders, the Nuxalk elected Chief and Council withdrew as intervenors from the National Energy Board's Joint Review Panel Process for the Enbridge Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project. They say the federal government has already "predetermined its approval of the project".

The Nuxalk say the review is not being done in good faith and has been undermined by repeated and controversial public statements by the Prime Minister and Natural Resources Minister that suggest a predetermined approval.

The Nuxalk are the second First Nation to pull out of the pipeline review process in recent months, while other nations have refused to intervene all together. Public hearings in the coastal community of Bella Bella, home of the Heiltsuk First Nation, were delayed after a peaceful community demonstration against the proposed Enbridge project (with drumming and singing at the airport). Federal officials postponed the hearings that day, claiming the protestors presented a security threat. They eventually backed off that position and hearings resumed, but not before it further damaged the review process.

"There is no honour in the federal Crown's approach to consulting with First Nations on the Enbridge project," says Andrew Andy, the elected Chief of the Nuxalk Nation.
"Recent statements make it clear that the Prime Minister has already decided to approve the super-tanker project that would violate First Nations' Title and Rights and put our coastal waters at risk of a major oil spill. . .Despite our serious concern about this process, including the lack of any decision-making role for First Nations, we entered the process in good faith. . .The government's disrespectful behaviour these past months makes clear that our good faith is not being returned."

Charlie Nelson, a Hereditary Chief of the Nuxalk Nation, referring to recent controversial statements by Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said: "How can we participate in a process driven by a government that has labelled us 'socially dysfunctional'? . . .Where is the honour in the Crown stating that it's prepared to violate our constitutionally-protected Title and Rights before the work of gathering information on the scope of infringement is even done?"

The Nuxalk news release concluded by saying the Joint Review Panel has no mandate to consult with First Nations, and there has been no clarity provided by the federal government about how it will consult on issues that fall outside of the Joint Review Panel process.

[admin]

An update from the Gitxsan Unity Movement

The Gitxsan Unity Movement began as Gitxsan Against Enbridge in early December 2011. The goal of the movement is to bring harmony between the Gitxsan Government and the values, law and will of the Gitxsan people.

The Gitxsan Chiefs shut down the Gitxsan Treaty Office on December 5, 2011 because the office was acting contrary to Gitxsan law and values through their unilateral agreement with Enbridge.

The Gitxsan Unity Movement stands firm on backing the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs, who have requested the Gitxsan Unity Movement secure and keep a 24 hour - 7 day week watch over the GTO building.

A December 2011 Declaration signed by 91 Hereditary Chiefs states they do not acknowledge the Gitxsan Treaty Society as representation of the Gitxsan people.

Copies of the declaration are available to those who wish a copy, please go to the gitxsanunity.com web site and click on declaration in the left hand column.

The Gitxsan Unity Movement is 100% volunteer driven, with Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and members working in the best interests of our land, culture and people.

We are very disappointed in Judge McEwan’s decision to call the Chiefs who had helped build the foundations of GTS, wrong for shutting down the office. In earlier court comments Judge McEwan clearly pointed out that the GTS was operating illegally with few society members.

The Gitxsan Treaty Society, who is supposed to be representing us, have failed in their duty to consult with us the Gitxsan people and we have many questions yet to be answered;

Why is it they chose to go to the media to deceive the people that all is well within our Nation, when clearly it is not?

Why is it we have to find out about the Alternative Governance Model and the Enbridge agreement signed by Elmer Derrick through the media?

Why is it that the GTS chooses to settle their issues with the Gitxsan people through the courts?

Why is the Gitxsan Forest Enterprises Inc. bankrupt? What happened to the 13.5 million dollars that the Gitxsan Nation was supposed to receive in lieu of this agreement?

Who gave Elmer the right to sign the Enbridge deal on our behalf? Elmer is hired to be a negotiator. He is staff, who is supervising our negotiators?

What other deals are being negotiated behind our backs?

Is the Gitxsan Nation being sold out from under us without our knowledge?

It appears that the GTS is an agent for the government. They act as if they do not have anyone to answer to and do as they please. The Enbridge fiasco is a great example of this. At first they claim that Elmer was signing on behalf of the GTS, and then they changed their mind and claimed he signed on behalf of the Chiefs. Eventually the GTS stated that Elmer was acting on his own.

We the Gitxsan people are standing up for the truth! We strive for accountability, transparency and to return the authority and jurisdiction to its’ rightful place, the Gitxsan Simgiigyet and the Gitxsan Nation.

The majority of the Gitxsan want to keep the GTO building closed. As per the Spookw litigation team vote held within the Gitxsan communities. We strongly feel that an accountant has got to go into the offices and conduct an audit and consult with the minutes of the meetings. This is accountability and transparency to the people of our Nation.

More and more, we see the changes in the Canadian and Provincial governments. They have become aggressive in their need for our resources and it appears they are turning our people, one against another.

Today is a good day to stand up to government corruption. Through Unity we will prevail!

We request that the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs explore our options should we walk away from the treaty table. The Coastal First Nation walked away from the treaty table 12 years ago and explored business opportunities with government and corporations. Since then they have generated 500 million dollars, which went back into their communities, through environmentally studied and safe projects.

We see the need for positive change in our Nation where it is inclusive of our members and respectful to our neighbors.


The Gitxsan Unity Movement has always believed that the answers to the Gitxsan crises has always been within the true Gimlitxwit, the head Chiefs of the three major clans within our Nation, Gisgaast (Fireweed), Lax Gibuu (Wolf) and Lax See'l (Frog). Not the Gitxsan Treaty Society's private and specialized Gimlitxwit, which is a gross misrepresentation of our High Chiefs.


Today we encourage a meeting of the Gitxsan Head Chiefs favouring the GTS , the Spookw litigants and/or the Gitxsan Unity Movement. We are confident a cooperative and unified position will be reached to conclude the impasse we currently find our Nation facing regarding the closure of the GTS offices.

http://gitxsanagainstenbridge.com

gitxsanunity@gmail.com

[admin]

About the Freedom Train

The Yinka Dene Alliance is taking a Freedom Train across Canada to enforce their legal ban on the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil pipelines and tankers project, and to stand up for their freedom to choose their own future.

http://www.freedomtrain2012.com/


A large delegation of Yinka Dene people will travel with allied First Nations from their traditional territories in northern BC all the way to Toronto, with events in Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Toronto.

Schedule/Events


Jasper, Alberta
April 30 Freedom Rally - No Tar Sands Pipeline on our Lands
Jasper Train Station, Jasper AB
4:00 pm


Edmonton, Alberta
May 1 Feast and Round Dance
Westmount Community Centre (10970 127 Street), Edmonton AB
5:00 pm
May 2 Freedom Rally - No Tar Sands Pipeline on our Lands
Alberta Legislature, Edmonton AB
12:00 noon


Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
May 3 Whistlestop Freedom Rally - No Tar Sands Pipeline on our Lands
Saskatoon Train Station, Saskatoon SK
7:45 am


Winnipeg, Manitoba
May 4 Feast and Celebration
Thunderbird House, 715 Main Street, Winnipeg MB
6:00 pm
May 5 Freedom Rally - No Tar Sands Pipeline on our Lands
1 Forks Market Road Winnipeg, MB, Canada
1:00pm


Toronto, Ontario
May 8 Freedom Train Solidarity Concert
The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West, Toronto ON
8:00 pm
May 9 Freedom Rally - No Tar Sands Pipeline on our Lands
March to Enbridge AGM
Lawn of Metro Hall, 55 John Street
11:45 am

[admin]

Hadih to all our allies,

As you've probably heard, the Yinka Dene Alliance is leaving this Sunday on our Freedom Train to the Enbridge AGM on May 9 in Toronto.

We are travelling across Canada to enforce our legal ban on the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil pipelines and tankers project, and to stand up for our freedom to choose our own future. A large delegation of Yinka Dene people will travel with allied First Nations from our traditional territories all the way to Toronto, with events in Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg along the route. In Toronto we will take the Save the Fraser Declaration directly to Enbridge's leadership, and to financial observers, at Enbridge's annual shareholders meeting.

A representative from the Coastal First Nations will also bring their Declaration. Among the key purposes of this journey is to raise up our opposition on the national stage, to project strength, and to reinforce the message that this project is not going to get built.

We need your help. We have created a petition - http://freedomtrain2012.nationbuilder.com/ - specifically for the Freedom Train as we gather support and interest across the country.

We hope that you will share it with your considerable lists and encourage your supporters and members to sign on. We have not made this sort of a request to you before. We are taking an effort to reach out to as many people Canada-wide as possible, and hopefully beyond our normal base of support. As you know, the Yinka Dene Alliance is not a list-building organization and our authority not depend on endorsement by those outside of our communities. However, we know that people are supporting First Nations in this fight and we would like to be able to show it in numbers. The list generated will be used rarely, but strategically, in the future.

We hope that you will help us in this regard, and hopefully soon so that we build a fast head of steam on this petition as we set out on our journey, and prior to it.

Spreading the word on Freedom Train: We also encourage you to personally, and as organizations, share and spread the goings-on from the Freedom Train. We will be blogging from the road and uploading videos, and there will be press conferences in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto. We have been honoured by the way that our allies have respectfully shared the news from the Save the Fraser events, and other Yinka Dene Alliance and broader Indigenous events, in this struggle.

We will be tweeting from @yinkadeneA5, and using the #freedomtrain and #enbridge hashtags.

Thanks for your assistance.
If you need to reach us on the road,
you can reach us at 2012freedomtrain@gmail.com or yinkadenealliance@gmail.com
Petition link again: http://freedomtrain2012.nationbuilder.com/
Freedom train website: http://freedomtrain2012.com/

Mussi cho'
Geraldine
--
Geraldine Thomas-Flurer
Enbridge Coordinator
Yinka Dene Alliance

250-570-1482 cell

250-567-6050 rez

"Ask them how do we say sorry to the Mountains? Ask them how do we say
sorry to Mother Earth?" Dr. Sophie Thomas (We have ceremonies to give
thanks, we never had ceremonies to say sorry to Mother Earth because we are
respectful of the life she gives us)

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

May 3rd, 2012

The First Nations "Freedom Train" (protesting against the proposed Enbridge pipeline project) makes a stop in Saskatchewan today.

On Wednesday, the Yinka Dene Alliance (YDA) joined Alberta First Nations in a rally on the steps of the Alberta Legislature. The message for the Alberta government was "their territories will not serve as the export route for tarsands oil".
http://www.freedomtrain2012.com/pictures


The First Nations spoke out in response to Premier Alison Redford's strong statements in support of the project, and for Ottawa's plans to push it through. "Premier Redford may have eked out a surprise election win, but we've got a surprise for her," said Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut'en, a member of the YDA. "Her gang-up attempt with Ottawa to force pipelines and tankers onto the people of BC is going to fail. Albertans remember what it's like to have Ottawa force a plan down your throats that you don't want. When you have a huge majority of people in BC saying no…it means no."

The Freedom Train, named in recognition of the First Nations' nationwide fight to be free from the threat of oil pipelines and tankers, and to be free to govern their lands according to their own laws. A large delegation of First Nations from across northern BC that have banned the Enbridge pipeline through their lands are on the train making its way across Canada, on its way to Enbridge's annual shareholders meeting in Toronto on May 9.

Recent opinion polls confirm that First Nations opposition to the Enbridge pipeline has wide public support, backed by two out of three British Columbians. More than 5000 Canadians have signed a petition to support First Nations efforts - a copy was delivered to the Alberta Premier's office yesterday.

"We can't sit by and watch as our relatives in northern Alberta are harmed by even more unmanaged tar sands development which these pipelines will allow," said Chief Jackie Thomas of Saik'uz First Nation. "This isn't just about us. We are part of an unbroken wall of opposition from more than 130 First Nations from the Pacific Coast to the Arctic Ocean who are saying we will not allow these pipelines to be built. We will use every lawful means at our disposal to guarantee it. There's no way around us. There's no way to get this oil out."

For photos, maps of event locations and a full itinerary for the tour, visit http://www.freedomtrain2012.com/schedule-events.

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

The message is clear:
"Tar sands pipelines and supertankers will not be permitted in our lands and waters."

Pipeline opponents take message to Enbridge
May 9th, 2912

(Members of the Yinka Dene Alliance march along King St. from Metro Hall to the King Edward, where Enbridge is hosting its annual general meeting, Wednesday. (JENNY YUEN/Toronto Sun))
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2012 ... 38651.html
- - -
Protecting Our Watershed From Oil. . .
viewtopic.php?p=14916#p14916

UBCIC Fully Supports Yinka Dene Opposition to Proposed Enbridge Pipeline
viewtopic.php?p=14919#p14919
- - -

http://www.thestar.com/business/article ... al-meeting

- - -
The anti-pipeline "Freedom Train" arrived at Toronto's Union Station Tuesday May 8th, 2012
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/arti ... ir-protest

Nationwide Train Journey of First Nations Arrives in Toronto
to Bring Opposition to Enbridge Northern Gateway to Enbridge's Shareholders Meeting

The Yinka Dene Alliance (YDA), a coalition of First Nations from Northern BC, has taken its message across Canada, from the Pacific coast directly to Enbridge's corporate leadership at the company's annual shareholders meeting in Toronto on May 9.
PHOTOS: http://www.freedomtrain2012.com/pictures
- - -
BACKGROUND: http://www.freedomtrain2012.com
"For too many years Ottawa has tried to railroad First Nations and impose its will on us," said Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, a member of the Yinka Dene Alliance that organized the 'Freedom Train'. "Now we're using the railroad to fight back, travelling all the way back east to make sure the government and Enbridge hears us."

A group of 12 First Nations travelled across Canada on the "Freedom Train" from BC to Toronto to take their message of opposition to the controversial Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline through Northern BC directly to Enbridge's annual shareholders meeting in Toronto on May 9.

Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition supporting the Freedom Train's goal - "to stop the expansion of oilsands pipelines and supertankers in Pacific coastal waters".

"We knew we had great support from everyday Canadians to protect the water that we all rely on - but we never dreamt we would see such a wide range of people coming out to support us, and signing onto our cause," said Hereditary Chief Tso Dih of Nak'azdli. "We are fighting to protect the public too, not just our communities. Enbridge's pipelines and oil supertankers aren't in Canada's interest, and we'll do Canadians a favour by putting a stop to them."

The Freedom Train arrived in Toronto on May 8.
For photos, videos, maps of event locations and a full itinerary for the tour, visit http://www.freedomtrain2012.com/schedule-events
- - -


May 3, 2012
Whistlestop Rally for "Freedom Train" Held in Saskatoon
as First Nations Take Fight Against Enbridge's Northern Gateway Pipeline Canada-Wide

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN

May 3, 2012

A large delegation of First Nations from across northern British Columbia were joined by Saskatchewan First Nations and local supporters for a rally and water ceremony this morning at the Saskatoon VIA Rail station, to celebrate the arrival of the Freedom Train, named in recognition of the First Nations' nationwide fight to be free from the threat of oil pipelines and tankers, and to be free to govern their lands according to their own laws.

Over 100 BC First Nations have banned the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline through their lands using First Nations law. To deliver this message directly to Enbridge, the train is currently making its way across Canada, on its way to Enbridge's annual shareholders meeting in Toronto on May 9.

"We're fighting to make the future safe for our grandkids. We still live off of our land, and we can't afford the risk of the Enbridge pipeline," said Chief Jackie Thomas of Saik'uz First Nation, a member of the Yinka Dene Alliance (YDA) that organized the Freedom Train. "Oil pipelines and oil tankers have oil spills - like Enbridge's 2007 spill in Glenavon that dumped 990,000 litres of crude oil into wetlands before the company could turn it off. There's no avoiding it. We rely on the water in our rivers and there's no way we will allow it to be jeopardized just so giant Calgary oil companies can make a bigger buck."

More than 40 First Nations people are making the journey across Canada, with stops in Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Over 6,000 Canadians have signed a petition in the last week supporting the First Nations' aim of stopping harmful tarsands pipelines through the Rockies to the Pacific coast. In Edmonton, the First Nations and a wide range of supporters rallied at the Alberta Legislature and marched to the Enbridge office tower.

"When people in Saskatchewan heard we were coming through, they contacted us and wanted to help us put on a celebration," said Hereditary Chief Tso Dih of Nak'azdli. "We have been overwhelmed by the support we've received here and we are honoured to have people here standing with us as we take this fight across Canada."

[admin]

First Nations to Prime Minister Harper:
We Won't Buckle to Your Attacks on Environment to Help Enbridge

"Harper is wasting his time and Enbridge is wasting its money. We say no and there's no getting around us." - Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut'en First Nation

TORONTO, ONTARIO

May 9, 2012

With Parliament debating sweeping changes that would gut key environmental protections and seek to silence dissent on controversial oil developments like the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline, a coalition of First Nations has arrived in Toronto to send a resounding message to the Harper government, its oilpatch friends, and the financial community that they will not be silenced. The Yinka Dene Alliance (YDA) and allied Nations from BC and Alberta have travelled the length of Canada to Canada's financial capital on the "Freedom Train" to say that they refuse to permit the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline through their lands, which make up about 25 per cent of the project's route. Failure to respect this decision will infringe the First Nations' constitutionally protected title and rights and open the federal government and Enbridge to legal and other actions by the First Nations to enforce their tar sands pipeline ban.

"If Ottawa forces this pipeline approval through, we guarantee there will be First Nations legal challenges and we will resist these pipelines and tankers with every ounce of our strength," said Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, a member of the YDA. "Harper is wasting his time and Enbridge is wasting its money. We say no, and there's no getting around us. Changing the rules midstream just shows Harper's afraid he's going to lose. He should be - he will lose. We are going to stop this pipeline, and we are proud to have the vast majority of people in BC standing behind us."

The YDA has led a historic and unprecedented delegation of over 50 First Nations representatives across Canada on a "Freedom Train" from BC to Toronto, with a goal of speaking directly to Enbridge's executives at the company's annual shareholders meeting today. They will tell Enbridge - and the banks, financiers and shareholders that support it - that First Nations will stop the Northern Gateway pipelines and tankers through any lawful means available. Last year, the YDA attended Enbridge's shareholders meeting in Calgary and met directly with the board of directors and CEO to give their in-person warning for the first time.

"Is Enbridge deaf?" Chief Dolly Abraham of the Takla First Nation added. "Their failure to listen only hardens our resolve. Enbridge and their backers in Ottawa are living in some kind of dream world if they think this pipeline is going to be built. We are going to wake them up to reality - Enbridge's pipe dream is our nightmare and we vow to put a stop to it."

The Freedom Train has the backing of more than 12,000 Canadians who have signed petitions to stop the expansion of tar sands pipelines and supertankers to the west coast. Major rallies and events in support of the Yinka Dene Alliance have been held along the Freedom Train route in Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg as they travelled east. In Ontario, the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) and Aamjiwnaang Nations have joined the Yinka Dene Alliance in solidarity, as each of them has Enbridge pipeline developments in their own traditional territories near Sarnia and in the Grand River basin - where Enbridge has planned to bring tar sands oil through Ontario to Montreal.

"We saw what happened with Enbridge's monster spill in the Kalamazoo River in Michigan," said Hereditary Chief Tsoh Dih of Nak'azdli. "We will never, ever, allow them to bring those risks to our clean rivers and the coast of BC. This isn't about money. It's about our health and our survival. We depend on our rivers for our main source of food - and our food and our fish are the key to our whole culture. Nobody in their right mind would allow their family and their culture to be put at risk like that for virtually no benefit, economic or otherwise."

Enbridge estimates that only 217 permanent jobs will be created by the project, while tens of thousands of existing jobs in the fishing and tourism sectors would be put at risk.

For photos, videos, maps of event locations and a full itinerary for the tour, visit www.freedomtrain2012.com/schedule-events.

[admin]

UBCIC Fully Supports Yinka Dene Opposition to Proposed Enbridge Pipeline

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. - May 9, 2012) Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs stated "By formal resolution in accordance to our Constitution and Bylaws, the UBCIC is steadfastly opposed to the Enbridge Pipeline Project and we will forever proudly stand with the Yinka Dene Alliance, Coastal First Nations, Heiltsuk Nation, Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council and the many other Indigenous Peoples who are standing as a unified wall of solidarity up and down the coast and heartland of British Columbia in their unbreakable opposition to this proposed Enbridge Tarsands pipeline."

"Make no mistake, water is the primary issue. Water befouled by oil, will kill the fish, contaminate the soil, sicken the animals and reverberate through the whole of the ecosystem. Our Indigenous laws and our obligation to our future generations compel us to defend our territory and the health of our communities for both are intrinsically tied together and are inseparable. The fleeting short-term blip of economic gain promised by government and industry proponents of mega-projects like the Enbridge Pipeline Project, Taseko Mines' New Prosperity Mine and Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion are being opposed by Indigenous Peoples who are obliged to contemplate the long-term impact on their territories and on their families," said Grand Chief Phillip.

Grand Chief Phillip concluded "To state the obvious, Indigenous Peoples refuse to put their territories at risk as a consequence of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and crude oil tanker traffic. As Indigenous Peoples, we have experienced time and time again when third party industry interests are granted access to the resources of our territories, the Federal and Provincial Governments protect those industry interests through the blatant betrayal our Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights which reflect and enshrine the deep environmental values that many British Columbians share with us."

Media inquires:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Phone: (250) 490-5314

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

May 10th, 2012 - The Mounties are spying on you - that is, if you are among the First Nations peacefully protesting against Enbridge's Northern Gateway Pipeline project.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/poli ... ments-show


RCMP documents confirm the police are tracking the activities of the Yinka Dene Alliance (YDA) of nations. This week their "Freedom Train" arrived in Toronto for a peaceful march and rally. They took their peaceful protest to Enbridge's annual shareholders meeting. They caused no-one any harm. They merely delivered their messages opposing the pipeline project that would bring oil from the tarsands to the BC coast for shipping by tankers to Asia.
viewtopic.php?p=14894#p14894


Why would the Mounties use their (allegedly limited) resources, to spy on peaceful First Nations? If you read between the lines, it might suggest that this is just another Harper government tactic to attack any opposition to plans by their powerful political and corporate friends.

"Harper is wasting his time and Enbridge is wasting its money. We say no and there's no getting around us," said Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut'en First Nation.
He was among those who took their protest across the country, "If Ottawa forces this pipeline approval through, we guarantee there will be First Nations legal challenges and we will resist these pipelines and tankers with every ounce of our strength."

Chief Louie and others with the YDA suspect the Harper government will use its recently relaxed regulations, to allow Enbridge a free ride through the environmental review process.

Chief Dolly Abraham of the Takla First Nation asked, "Is Enbridge deaf? . . . Their failure to listen only hardens our resolve. Enbridge and their backers in Ottawa are living in some kind of dream world if they think this pipeline is going to be built. We are going to wake them up to reality - Enbridge's pipe dream is our nightmare and we vow to put a stop to it."

More than 12,000 Canadians have signed petitions to stop the expansion of tar sands pipelines and supertankers to the west coast. Major rallies and events in support of the Yinka Dene Alliance have been held along the Freedom Train route - in Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

A news release explained the support in Ontario - the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) and Aamjiwnaang Nations have joined the Yinka Dene Alliance in solidarity, as each of them has Enbridge pipeline developments in their own traditional territories near Sarnia and in the Grand River basin - where Enbridge has planned to bring tar sands oil through Ontario to Montreal.

"We saw what happened with Enbridge's monster spill in the Kalamazoo River in Michigan," said Hereditary Chief Tsoh Dih of Nak'azdli. "We will never, ever, allow them to bring those risks to our clean rivers and the coast of BC. This isn't about money. It's about our health and our survival. We depend on our rivers for our main source of food - and our food and our fish are the key to our whole culture. Nobody in their right mind would allow their family and their culture to be put at risk like that for virtually no benefit, economic or otherwise."

[admin]

Report back from Enbridge AGM
by Nikki Skuce, Senior Energy Campaigner
( ForestEthics.org )
May 9th, 2012


Yinka Dene Alliance at the Enbridge AGM 2012

More than 700 people rallied behind the Yinka Dene Alliance for a peaceful march to Enbridge’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), where shareholders gathered at the windows, looking nervously out at the huge crowd. The air was filled with the powerful sound of the Yinka Dene Alliance drummers and chants of “We Can’t Eat Oil” and “No Pipelines, No Tankers, No Problem!”

A number of Freedom Train riders who had registered as proxy shareholders were denied entry to the meeting. Despite paper trails and timely registering, as well as a few folks traveling hundreds of kilometres on the train to speak inside, they were unable to have their say. 

Those who participated made it loud and clear that opposition is strong and resolute. Yinka Dene Alliance Chiefs asserted that First Nations opposed to the project aren’t going anywhere.

“The war is on.” Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut’en declared after the meeting, where Enbridge refused to cancel Northern Gateway. “We’ve got Enbridge and the federal government after us. But I’m not scared…We’re not going to turn back.”
Enbridge never answered his question - How far is Enbridge willing to go?



NEI’s shareholder resolution to do a report that would show the legal and financial costs associated with First Nations opposition to Northern Gateway did not pass. The company had encouraged people not to support the resolution. However, with nearly 30 per cent support, Enbridge committed to continuing dialogue with NEI about the issue.

After laying out how Enbridge will never receive social license to build this pipeline and tanker project, I asked about the political risks associated with the project. The BC New Democratic Party (BC NDP) recently submitted a long letter stating their opposition to Northern Gateway that they submitted to the Joint Review Panel (JRP) last week. They could form the next government before the JRP or ministerial decisions are made. The BC Liberal government has also not taken a position and Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel admitted that they were aware of the political risks, although refused to state whether or not they would proceed against the will of the province given Daniel’s inability to “fortune tell”.



In addition, Enbridge agreed to supply us with the amount of funds they have expended to date on PR and lobbying for Northern Gateway.

In the end, the AGM provided another opportunity for First Nations to speak to the CEO, Board and shareholders without being considered “consultation” by the company. The legal risks are very real and Enbridge has not been clear about it to shareholders, deciding to hide behind the JRP.

It also provided an opportunity to get the company on the record with various statements and to try to get clarity on their plans as to how far they are willing to put their brand and company at risk for their tar sands pipeline and tankers to Asia. 



If you have yet to do so, please sign the Yinka Dene Alliance petition.
http://freedomtrain2012.nationbuilder.com/

[admin]

May 10th, 2012

Dear First Nation Leaders and Community Members:

RE: Toronto Star Article on RCMP 'Spying' on First Nations.
( http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/poli ... ments-show )

By way of introduction, I am the RCMP Officer based in Vancouver and responsible for Aboriginal Policing Services in British Columbia.

I wanted to write in an effort to be transparent and continue our open dialogue within this province with all First Nations, and the way in which this article was written, in my opinion, is not correct and creates misunderstanding.

To be clear, the documents referred to did not have any surveillance, source, informant or other information contained in them.

As the reporter mentions in his article, it is simply a summary of issues concerning First Nation communities where dispute or legal protest is occurring, as gathered from open source information (Internet, news reports, social networks, etc).

This document is used by myself and other police managers province-wide to fully understand each and every situation throughout BC and any potential for a situation where a challenge to public safety may possibly develop.

In the article, the journalist used words like RCMP "spying" and "surveillance", somehow suggesting we were infiltrating meetings and so on. I assure you this was not the case and the information was collected from open source as well as discussion with First Nations leadership. In my view, the way it was reported is sensationalist, irresponsible and misrepresents what is actually contained in it.

It is the expectation of our communities and leadership that we, the police, be informed of the issues in our communities and understand the dynamics for all. We support dissent and legal protest, and understanding situations and upholding public safety means for everyone, no matter what your viewpoint on a particular issue.

I would also add that we try to maintain awareness of potential public safety issues for all communities throughout BC, not simply First Nations communities. I take issue with the journalist implying otherwise.

I thank you for hearing my voice and opinion on this matter.

Paul Richards, Supt
A/Deputy Criminal Operations Officer -
Core Policing
E Division
Vancouver

[admin]

Gitxsan Treaty Society

May 15, 2012

RCMP Failing in their Duty to End Blockade of Gitxsan Chiefs' Office

Smithers BC - The Gitxsan Treaty Society (GTS) appeared in court Monday as part of its continuing efforts to end the blockade of its office. GTS asked the Court to find the leaders of the blockade in contempt for failing to comply with the court injunction and enforcement order that was issued on December 7th, 2012.

This contempt action was necessary because the blockaders continue to defy the court injunction and the RCMP have failed to enforce the law - for over five months now. During previous court hearings, Mr. Justice McEwan has been clear that the blockaders have no right to prevent GTS from accessing its office. He stated that the blockade of the GTS office is illegal; it is in breach of both the Criminal Code and the court's injunction order. On April 3rd, the Judge directed the blockaders to obey the law and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enforce law. Those directions were ignored.

Despite GTS's repeated efforts to get the RCMP to act on the Judge's directions since the April 3rd hearing, the RCMP has taken no steps to enforce the injunction. GTS had no choice but to bring further court action.

During the course of today's hearing, Mr. Justice McEwan expressed his continued astonishment with the RCMP's lack of action. He re-affirmed his previous comments that the RCMP have a duty to enforce the injunction order but they are failing in that duty.

The Judge was also displeased that the leaders of the blockade failed to appear in court to account for their actions. The GTS asked the Judge to find that the evidence of contempt is sufficient to order the four named blockade leaders to appear before him to respond to the contempt. He reserved his decision.

"We are pleased that the Judge has been so clear that the blockade is illegal and must end," said Bev Clifton-Percival. "The GTS has been frustrated by the RCMP's refusal to uphold the law for over 5 months. After careful consideration, the GTS Board decided that the contempt application was necessary as a last resort to end this unproductive confrontation that is causing needless stress in our community."

The GTS was formed to support the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs in their effort to protect and promote Gitxsan rights. The GTS seeks to regain access to its office as soon as it can to continue in that important work.

For further comment please contact:
Gwaans (Bev Clifton Percival)
Office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs 250-847-0603

[admin]

May 16, 2012

RCMP is not telling the truth about blockade of Gitxsan Chiefs Office

Hazelton BC - A front page story published May 10 in the Vancouver Sun, and a similar story in The Globe and Mail May 12, quoted at length from observations by Supreme Court of BC Justice Mark McEwan during a hearing on April 3, 2012. He said that that the RCMP were just not doing their job when they refused to enforce a Court -ordered injunction of last December, 5 months earlier, to remove people blockading the offices of the Gitxsan Treaty Society in Hazelton. He also said they were wrong to refuse to enforce the Criminal Code provision to the same effect.

Having still paid no attention to Judge McEwan's comments a month later, on May 10 the RCMP issued a press release full of inaccuracies on the matter that was reported in the Vancouver Sun on Saturday. ("RCMP seeks peaceful Gitxsan solution") The RCMP say they "continue to work diligently with the community and the impacted parties in the hope of a peaceful resolution".

Beverly Clifton Percival, whose name as a Gitxsan Hereditary Chief is Gwaans, said today that this is untrue.

"While they may well have had numerous discussions with the illegal blockaders, and their own sworn affidavits indicate this, they have had only one telephone conversation with us, the "impacted party", and that was three months ago. The RCMP describes this as a civil dispute. In fact it is a contravention of the Criminal Code, pure and simple.

She went on to say that the press release states that "The RCMP have worked to facilitate dialogue and have offered assistance to identify independent mediators while also being mindful of the court injunction and the enforcement order." Again, another untrue statement. The RCMP have done nothing to facilitate dialogue and the first we ever heard of a "mediator" was when we read the RCMP press release last week. And since when are Court orders and breaches of the Criminal Code the subject of mediation? Nor is there any evidence that they have been the least bit mindful of the injunction ordering them to clear the blockade.

"This has been very frustrating, and harmful to the Gitxsan. We are a community of over six thousand living on an off several reserves in the Hazelton area, with another 6000 Gitxsan living elsewhere. RCMP inaction bespeaks of a terrible disrespect for us and our community."

The RCMP press release went on to say, "It is our hope that this matter can be resolved with the safety and security of all those involved as this is our primary concern. The RCMP remains impartial in this matter and have been actively working to ensure a peaceful management of the dispute. We are sincerely hopeful impending enforcement measures will not be required."

"I would make two points," said Gwaans, "First, the RCMP has not been impartial-they have sided with the blockaders, as anyone viewing the Youtube postings can see.

"Second, what is required is not "hope". We all hope. Hope is free. We do not have to hire people like the RCMP to "hope". The role of the RCMP is not to "hope", but to enforce the law, which after more than 5 months they are clearly not doing. Their role is to enforce the Criminal Code and orders of the Courts. Their failure to do so has brought greater disrespect for the law, and for the RCMP themselves, in our community.

"If the RCMP said after a bank robbery that they "were working with the community, had no intention of looking for the robbers, and "hoped" the robbers would give themselves up and return the money", they'd be the laughing stock of BC. That is exactly the case here. It is outrageous.

"But now they stoop further by issuing untruthful press releases. Shame.

"The fact remains that, on May 4, there was a blockade of the BNSF rail line through White Rock. Within 24 hours an injunction had been obtained, and the RCMP enforced it by removing the blockaders. Twenty four hours. But in Hazelton, a primarily Indian community 500 miles away, we have waited for the RCMP to enforce the same Criminal Code provision, the same sort of Court injunction, for over 5 months.

"We wrote to the Provincial Minister of Justice on May 7, asking to meet with her to discuss this deplorable situation. We asked her to order the RCMP to do their duty. We are told she is "too busy" to meet, and we see no evidence of her doing her duty, either, in directing the RCMP to do theirs.

"I have to ask, 'What is happening in law enforcement in BC?'." she concluded.
--30--
For further information: Gwaans (Beverley Clifton Percival)
Negotiator Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs
Phone (250)842-6780
Cell (250)847-0603
gwaans@gitxsan.com<mailto:gwaans@gitxsan.com>

Link to RCMP Media Release:
http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteN ... ntId=25289

[admin]

ENBRIDGE AD CAMPAIGN NO SUBSTITUTE FOR REAL DEBATE SAY COASTAL FIRST NATIONS

VANCOUVER (May 30, 2012)

https://docs.google.com/open?id=12L2_GBqMRxCt9zslESNfwJyxq1QJ_UCc6Eim-B9UHReRRnEv2rAPZ3viDO5I

Enbridge’s multi-million dollar ad campaign is an act of desperation to try to sell a project that clearly doesn’t have the support of First Nations or British Columbians, says Coastal First Nations executive director Art Sterritt. “The proposed Northern Gateway Project may be Enbridge’s “path to the future” but it is not a path First Nations or British Columbians will take.”

The misguided campaign is intended to convince British Columbians that the proposed Northern Gateway project is in their interests, Sterritt says. “What is needed is a full and fact-based debate on this project.”

Sterritt says that’s why his organization has been reaching out to British Columbians across BC where they work and live. “It’s unfortunate that Enbridge has chosen to hire a high-priced Toronto ad firm to try to tell us what we should think instead of doing the hard work of dealing with people on their doorsteps.”

It’s this type of thinking that has led Coastal First Nations to lose trust in Enbridge, he says. “It’s been pretty clear from the beginning that Enbridge does not want to answer the hard questions about this project. We’ve had serious concerns about the significant risk this project would have on existing jobs, our culture and the unique ecosystems in the region. Instead of spending millions on advertising, I would urge Enbridge to publicly debate myself and others and let the public decide on the merits of the project.”

Coastal First Nations have a long track record of dealing constructively with private sector companies to create business opportunities that bring long-term, sustainable jobs to coastal BC. “Our experience should make British Columbians question the supposed merits of this project. We have positive relationships with existing businesses and investors in the region and around the world, including China -- and our door is always open to discuss potential opportunities.”

Sterritt says after years of studying the project we’ve found there are huge risks and few benefits for BC or for Canada. “Any business person without a direct interest in this project would very quickly dismiss the Northern Gateway on a simple risk-reward basis. No amount of advertising can change that reality.”
-30-

Contact:
Art Sterritt
Executive Director, Coastal First Nations
604-868-9110

Suite 1660, 409 Granville Street,
Vancouver,
BC, V6C 1T2

Tel: 604‐696‐9889 Fax: 604‐696‐9887

info@coastalfirstnations.ca
http://www.coastalfirstnations.ca
- - -

Also of interest: http://www.northerngateway.ca/aboriginal-engagement/