BC says Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Must Be Addressed

[admin]

"Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are
addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities,
information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit
from a heavy-oil project" - British Columbia outlines requirements for heavy oil pipeline consideration

"B.C. expects proponents to build strong, enduring relationships with
First Nations potentially affected by development projects. Through
those relationships, there should be discussion of possible impacts
on Aboriginal interests, measures in place that would mitigate those
impacts and a development of impact management and benefit
agreements."
- - -

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/v/-oecUrNFdEY

July 23, 2012

VANCOUVER - As part of ongoing work to participate in and monitor the
Joint Review Panel on the Northern Gateway Project, the government of
British Columbia today outlined five minimum requirements that must
be met for the province to consider the construction and operation of
heavy oil pipelines within its borders.


"Our government is committed to economic development that is balanced
with environmental protection," said Premier Christy Clark. "In light
of the ongoing environmental review by the Joint Review Panel on the
Enbridge pipeline project proposal, our government has identified and
developed minimum requirements that must be met before we will
consider support for any heavy oil pipeline projects in our province.
We need to combine environmental safety with our fair share of fiscal
and economic benefits."

As set out in our government's heavy oil policy paper, Requirements
for British Columbia to Consider Support for Heavy Oil Pipelines, the
following requirements must be established:
* Successful completion of the environmental review process. In the
case of Enbridge, that would mean a recommendation by the National
Energy Board Joint Review Panel that the project proceed;
* World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery
systems for B.C.'s coastline and ocean to manage and mitigate the
risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines and shipments;
* World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and
recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy
oil pipelines;
* Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are
addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities,
information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit
from a heavy-oil project; and
* British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic
benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level,
degree and nature of the risk borne by the province, the environment
and taxpayers.

The first of government's requirements is that any project proposal
must be approved through appropriate environmental assessment (EA)
processes. EA processes are led by statutory decision-makers, require
a considerable level of project detail, frequently require public
hearings and are designed to bring transparency and engagement to
project review.

The government of British Columbia has been consistent in its support
for environmental assessment, as a reflection of its commitment both
to environmental protection and sustainability, and to
predictability, transparency and access.

Led by B.C.'s Minister of the Environment, work has now been
completed to assess what would be required to establish British
Columbia and Canada as world leaders in marine oil spill response.
British Columbia is proposing a joint plan of action with the federal
government that would include the following elements:

* Limits to liability that ensure sufficient financial resources to
properly address any spills;
* increased federal response capacity;
* Full adoption of the Unified Command model;
* Strengthened federal requirements on industry for the provision and
placement of marine response equipment and infrastructure;
* Industry-funded terrestrial (land-based) spill co-operative with
sufficient human and technical capacity to manage spill risk from
pipelines and other land-based sources;
* Increased capacity within the provincial emergency response program
to ensure adequate oversight of industry; and
* A Natural Resources Damage Assessment process to provide certainty
that a responsible party will address all costs associated with a
spill.

"When we consider the prospect of a heavy oil pipeline, and of the
increased oil tanker traffic that would result, it is clear that our
spill prevention and response plans will require significant
improvements. Our government has already initiated discussions with
the federal government on improving our response plans and
resources," said Environment Minister Terry Lake. "This represents an
opportunity for British Columbia and Canada to develop world-leading
environmental protection regimes."

The fourth requirement for the B.C. government to consider support
for heavy oil pipeline proposals is First Nations participation.
Governments in Canada have a duty to consult and accommodate First
Nations, and British Columbia is committed to meeting this test.
British Columbia has developed a set of tools to help First Nations
to partner with industry and participate in economic development.
These agreements help to create certainty for development that
benefits all British Columbians. British Columbia remains committed
to this approach.

"We believe the benefits to First Nations from major pipeline
proposals must be clearly identified, along with the measures that
will help protect against environmental impacts," said Aboriginal
Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak. "As recently as
last week, such an approach was endorsed by the Canadian Council of
CEOs in their report on Aboriginal participation."

Lastly, British Columbia must receive a fair share of the fiscal and
economic benefits of any proposed heavy oil project. B.C. will
shoulder 100 per cent of the risk in the marine environment and a
significant proportion of the risk on the land should a spill event
ever occur. Current heavy oil project proposals do not balance the
risks and benefits for British Columbia.

"We have identified aggressive environmental requirements and
principles for First Nations engagement, and we have clearly stated
we expect a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits for our
province," said Premier Clark. "British Columbians are fair and
reasonable. We know we need resource and economic development, but we
also expect that risks are managed, environmental protection is
uncompromised and that generations will benefit from the decisions we
make today."

Four backgrounders follow.

BACKGROUNDER 1
For Immediate Release
2012ENV0047-001074
July 23, 2012

Ministry of Environment

World-leading marine spill preparedness and response systems for
British Columbia

Protecting the province's environment is a priority for its citizens
and the B.C. government. While B.C. is not the government lead in
terms of responding to a marine spill, advocating for world-class
protection measures and procedures is a B.C. priority. Guided by an
analysis of international marine response plans and procedures, the
B.C. government is moving forward with 11 recommendations to the
federal government aimed at improving Ottawa's marine spill
management. Chief among those recommendations are:

Encourage the federal government to strengthen requirements for
certified marine spill response organizations.
Current response times and planning capacity are less stringent than
other jurisdictions like Alaska and Norway. For example, for the
types of tankers being proposed for Canada's west coast, Alaska
requires planning for 300,000 barrels. In Canada, response
organizations are only required to maintain response plans for spills
up to approximately 70,000 barrels (10,000 tonnes).

Further, Alaska allows responders 72 hours to reach the spill site,
while Canada allows 72 hours plus travel time, which can sometimes
add days to the response.

Encourage the federal government to enhance tanker requirements and
available response capacity.
In shared bodies of water, the United States' requirements exceed
Canada's. For example, the United States requires escort tugs for
laden tankers and mandates industry pay for designated and
strategically placed emergency response tugs. Canada does not have
any similar requirements.

Ensure the Canadian Coast Guard adopts a unified command/incident
command structure.
The Canadian Coast Guard has a unique response system which is only
used in B.C. The United States, companies and governments worldwide
use a unified command/incident command response structure for a range
of emergency responses, including marine spills. By bringing the
Coast Guard under this system, an effective, co-ordinated response is
better ensured while reducing layers of approvals that can delay
critical, prompt decision-making.

Current limits of liability rules strengthened to reduce government
and public exposure to financial risk.
The federal government should review its rules and requirements to
ensure industry-funded response funds are sustainable and adequate to
fully cover a major response without requiring public money.
Currently, the total amount of ship owner insurance and industry
funding available for spill response is $1.3 billion. By comparison,
the U.S. federal government maintains a spill fund that is forecast
to grow to nearly $4 billion by 2016.

BACKGROUNDER 2
For Immediate Release
2012ENV0047-001074
July 23, 2012

Ministry of Environment

World-Leading on-land spill preparedness and response system for
British Columbia

Land-based spill response is an area where the province has
significant management responsibilities. The safe transportation and
use of hazardous materials - including oil and natural gas - is
critical to British Columbia's economy and way of life. While land-
based spills can be mitigated, they cannot be completely avoided;
they are a consequence of a modern economy.

Major resource developments in the province's northeast, coupled with
proposals to open new, and expand existing, transportation corridors
for petrochemicals, makes it timely for the province to consider its
spill management capacity.

B.C. government's proposed policy:
A provincial policy review has confirmed support for the "polluter
pays" principle. In other words, those sectors (i.e. the oil and gas
industry) that pose the risk must be responsible for all related
mitigation and response costs.

Ministry of Environment staff are in the process of reviewing options
to implement industry-funded and enhanced spill-management for land-
based operations. It has three central elements:
* An industry-funded terrestrial spill response organization.
* An enhanced provincial Environment Emergency Program.
* Natural resources damages assessment.

These changes would address some key issues facing B.C.'s land-based
spill response practice, including new requirements for:
* industry to have tested and government-approved geographic response
plans; and
* provincial response capacity that matches the known risk, including
staff and resources to address spills.

The proposed policy would strengthen the province's oversight role
and facilitate the verification of industry capacity. Further, it
would ensure that a stable source of funding is available to ensure
the program continues to have a strong presence on-scene when a spill
occurs. This role for government is critical to protecting the
provincial economic, social and environmental interests that can be
impacted when a spill takes place.

Next steps:
* Immediately strike a terrestrial spill response working group.
* Engagement with key industry associations and federal agencies.
* Complete in-depth technical analysis of policy and options.
* Public consultation on policy intentions paper.
* Draft legislation based on the chosen policy direction.

BACKGROUNDER 3
For Immediate Release
2012ENV0047-001074
July 23, 2012

Ministry of Environment

Consultation and partnerships with First Nations

In British Columbia, case law requires the B.C. government to consult
with First Nations on any decision that may infringe on their treaty
or Aboriginal rights. Where government makes a decision that will
infringe on rights, there is a legal duty called "accommodation,"
which can include mitigation measures, or even economic compensation.
These legal requirements impact resource development and government
decision-making.

Consultation is not only a legal obligation, it is part of good
governance, and the B.C. government takes consultation and the
courts' direction on consultation very seriously.

B.C.'s approach is to work in partnership to give First Nations a
meaningful role in land and resource management. B.C. is also the
first province to share resource development revenue with First
Nations, creating opportunities that flow benefits directly back into
Aboriginal communities. B.C. has reached a suite of strategic
agreements that create certainty for First Nations and industry by
making it easier for business and First Nations to work together.
* B.C. has achieved nine Reconciliation and Strategic Engagement
Agreements with First Nations. These agreements provide First Nations
with a defined role in the management of lands and resources and
often include tools to allow for increased First Nation participation
in local economies.
* B.C. has 189 active forestry revenue-sharing agreements with First
Nations. Since 2003, B.C. has provided approximately $323 million and
access to 63.9 million cubic metres of timber to First Nations.
* B.C. signed mine revenue-sharing agreements with Nak'azdli First
Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band for the Mount Milligan Mine and
the Tk'emlúps and Skeetchestn Indian bands for the New Afton Mine.
Further agreements are being negotiated.
* Economic Benefit Agreements with five Treaty 8 First Nations have
provided $52 million to date in First Nation benefits from gas and
other development in northeast B.C.
* The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provides capacity,
equity and revenue-sharing funding for First Nation participation in
this sector. Since 2010, the fund has provided nearly $2.5 million to
53 First Nations.

The B.C. government has collaborated with the Business Council of
British Columbia to develop the best practices to increase general
understanding of industry's role. Increasingly, companies recognize
that building relationships with First Nations makes good business
sense, and are taking steps to form effective relationships that
result in mutual benefits.

B.C. expects proponents to build strong, enduring relationships with
First Nations potentially affected by development projects. Through
those relationships, there should be discussion of possible impacts
on Aboriginal interests, measures in place that would mitigate those
impacts and a development of impact management and benefit
agreements.

BACKGROUNDER 4
For Immediate Release
2012ENV0047-001074
July 23, 2012

Ministry of Environment

Fiscal benefits imbalance: Northern Gateway Pipeline

The Northern Gateway Pipeline is forecast to provide significant
benefits to governments, communities and individuals through taxation
and royalty revenues, employment and indirect and induced jobs.

According to a research report by Wright Mansell Research Ltd., the
pipeline is likely to generate an incremental $81 billion in
provincial and federal government taxation over a 30 year period
between 2016 and 2046. Of the $81 billion, a full $36 billion is
accrued by the federal government.

The remaining $45 billion in provincial revenues are split with $32
billion to Alberta, $6.7 billion to British Columbia and the
remaining $6 billion split among the remaining provinces, with
Saskatchewan appearing to benefit by nearly $4 billion. Thus, of the
$81 billion in incremental taxation revenue, British Columbia stands
to receive approximately only 8.2 per cent.

The $36 billion to the federal government is anticipated to be
distributed across the country on a per capita basis as these
revenues would be considered to be general and not dedicated
revenues. There is no guarantee these revenues would be distributed
in this manner.

In addition, with the creation of a new market for Alberta oil in
Asia, prices are forecast to rise such that over the same 2016-46
period, there would be a price lift of $107 billion, split $103
billion to Alberta and $4 billion to Saskatchewan, which has begun to
exploit its heavy oil and bitumen resources. This lift arises from an
all increased value of all oil products that are being exported out
of Canada with the elimination of the discount paid for Canadian oil.

Given the risk to British Columbia from land-based and coastal
bitumen spills, British Columbia does not believe an equitable
distribution exists for fiscal benefits. This imbalance must be
addressed prior to British Columbia considering provincial support.

Charts for this information:
Economic Benefits: http://flic.kr/p/cChx2d
Environmental Risks: http://flic.kr/p/cBRaT1

[admin]

NEWS RELEASE
July 23, 2012

Grandiose Announcement by B.C. Government on Enbridge Pipeline Completely Unrealistic

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver) Critics of Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline are objecting loudly in response to the Province of B.C.'s grandiose announcement regarding five minimum requirements that must be met for the province to consider the construction and operation of heavy oil pipelines within its borders. Several days ago, Enbridge, notorious for its minimal pipeline safety standards, also promised to increase pipeline safety for the proposed project. A clear majority of First Nations continue to be strongly opposed to the proposed project along with environmental groups and the majority of British Columbians, based on its deadly potential for extreme environmental destruction and devastation.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, stated, "Both the Province of BC and Enbridge refuse to acknowledge that people have clearly said 'no' to the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline. No amount of miniscule increases to safety, or a provincial policy paper that ultimately allows the Christy Clark government to approve the proposed pipeline, provide any assurances that the land and waters will be protected. Enbridge has an alarmingly high track record of pipeline spills and environmental degradation, and an equally disturbing history of failing to acknowledge or address its negligent safety standards and practices unless forced to. Enbridge has consistently failed to meaningfully consult with Indigenous peoples on whose territory its pipelines traverse. The Province of B.C.'s new minimum requirement that legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights must be addressed is meaningless- it is absolutely obvious that legal requirements must be not only addressed, but completely met."

He continued, "Despite the U.S.' scathing condemnation of Enbridge's incompetent response to the ravaging oil spill in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the worst spill in U.S. history, the Canadian and B.C. Governments are somehow still welcoming Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline with open arms. Due to the nature of heavy oil spills, there is no conventional clean-up remedy available, and oil sinks. Due to massive cutbacks, there are limited funding resources to immediately respond to spills. Quite frankly, both Premier Clark and Enbridge are completely missing the boat; 'it's not about the money, it's about the environment, stupid.'"

Critics of the proposed Northern Gateway project have sound reason for their concern:

* From 1999 to 2010, Enbridge had 804 spills total with 168,645 barrels spilled. This equals approximately 26.81 million litres, or 7.08 million gallons.

* As recently as June 18, 2012, Enbridge spilled 230,000 litres in Elk Point, Alberta.

* Enbridge pipelines have consistently spilled oil when they run through relatively flat terrain with regular weather conditions. The proposed Northern Gateway pipeline would run through extremely varied terrain with a rocky coastline and unpredictable coastal weather.

* The proposed pipeline would facilitate tar sand expansion by 30%, Canada's fastest growing source of greenhouse emissions.

Grand Chief Phillip concluded, "The proposed pipeline would cross over 1000 streams and rivers, including the salmon bearing Fraser and Skeena watersheds that are the life-force of First Nations throughout the province. Promising to increase pipeline wall thickness for major tributaries is simply not enough, and neither is the B.C. Government's illusory 'trust us' approach to regulation. Based on Enbridge's track record, the question of a pipeline spill is not 'if' but 'when.' We do not take any comfort in the corporate social responsibility rhetoric that Enbridge is vainly pumping out in efforts to save its bottom line. We call on all Canadians to join with the increasing number of people who say 'no' to Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. Above all, we demand that Aboriginal Title and Rights, and Treaty Rights, be fully upheld."

[admin]

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

July 23, 2012 - WWF today expressed its disappointment with Premier Clark's statement laying out the province's "minimum conditions" for the construction of heavy oil pipelines through British Columbia. WWF, in partnership with the Coastal First Nations and Great Bear Initiative, recently launched the 'Canadians for the Great Bear' campaign (http://www.canadiansforgreatbear.ca) to oppose the construction of oil pipelines and oil tanker traffic through the Great Bear region of British Columbia's north coast.

"WWF is disappointed that Premier Clark has missed the point of the concerns expressed by the clear majority of British Columbians with respect to the Northern Gateway proposal. This has never been about the need for more capacity to respond to catastrophic oil spills, or about the need for more revenue. The concern is that the Great Bear region is no place for oil pipelines or oil tankers. Not now, not ever, and not at any price.

"WWF will continue to work with First Nations an d others to secure a healthy future for this global ecological treasure. We need a smart ocean plan that provides for a strong diverse economy, sustains healthy coastal communities and families, and protects ecological integrity - and that includes a permanent, enforceable ban on oil tankers through the Great Bear Sea. At a national scale, we need a Canadian energy strategy that respects nature and does not put our most extraordinary places at risk."

- Darcy Dobell, VP, Pacific Region, WWF-Canada

About WWF

WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. http://www.wwf.ca

[admin]

Northern Gateway remains committed to working with governments

Today, the BC Government has issued a statement that provides input of its position on heavy oil pipelines within British Columbia.

Enbridge welcomes this input from the BC Government.

We wish to reiterate our commitment to working with governments, including BC, in determining what we can do to further address concerns and to engaging in a dialogue to ensure full understanding of the assessments of risk, the many safety and environmental protection measures in the plan as well as the benefits that would come with the project.

Enbridge will also continue to reach out and encourage conversation with British Columbians about the project through our website and blogs, community meetings and conversations. We have devoted much effort and resources into consultations with communities, First Nations, and Métis, having already held more than 2,500 public meetings, 120 open houses, 150 presentations and 65 economic development workshops to date. Through that outreach, we’ve met directly with some 17,000 people. We want to continue to encourage conversation about the project.

Enbridge and the Northern Gateway project team have worked hard to ensure this unique project would be built and operated to the highest standards and has committed to further enhancements to make what is already a safe project even safer. Further details on enhancements announced July 20, 2012 can be found here: http://www.northerngateway.ca/news-and- ... -measures/

This project will bring real and tangible benefits to the communities and Aboriginal groups along the proposed route, and to the province of British Columbia as a whole.

The Northern Gateway Project is a Canadian imperative, enabling our country to unlock its energy trade dependence upon a single market in order to gain access to the fastest growing demand economies in the world. This is a key economic pillar that will serve all Canadians for generations to come.

All quotes are attributable to Todd Nogier, Manager Corporate and Western Access Communications

This message was sent by: Enbridge Northern Gateway, 3000, 425 - 1 Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 3L8

[admin]

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Disappointed in Government of BC's Pipeline Announcement
Nation reaffirms opposition to proposed Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, July 24, 2012

Tsleil-Waututh Nation is expressing disappointment in yesterday's announcement by the government of British Columbia of its five minimum requirements for oil pipeline construction and operation. The Nation, which is opposing Kinder Morgan's proposed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, says the requirements do nothing to reduce the environmental risks of pipeline expansion, nor do they acknowledge the full extent of First Nations' legal rights in the process.

"As People of the Inlet, it is our birthright and obligation to care for the lands and waters of our territory. Our rights and title give us a voice. And we will use our voice to ensure our rights are fully upheld," says Chief Justin George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. "We remain resolute in our opposition to the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, and we will be not be swayed by the provincial government's announcement."

In its announcement, the government of British Columbia says that oil companies must "address" legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights. However, addressing these rights is not enough. They must be fully met.

"We expect informed, meaningful government-to-government consultation on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion proposal," says Chief Justin George. "No consultation has yet happened with Tsleil-Waututh."

In its list of five requirements, the Province refers to B.C.'s "world-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems." This is particularly troubling to the Tsleil-Waututh community, which is still dealing with the effects of a 2007 Kinder Morgan oil spill, which discharged approximately 234,000 litres of oil into the Burrard Inlet and adjacent areas.

"Our community was deeply affected by the 2007 spill. Our inlet has been scarred by the impacts of oil spills," says Carleen Thomas, elected Councilor of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. "We have seen firsthand the inadequacies of emergency response and clean up efforts."

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation is also gravely concerned about the repealing of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act through Bill C-38. It will significantly change the rules about how, and if, federal environmental assessment will occur on the proposed expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. The reduction of science personnel across government and the closure of the Pacific Coast's oil-spill response centre will diminish capacity to prevent, monitor, and respond to environmental disasters.

"We are convinced that pipeline expansion is the wrong thing for the Inlet, the Lower Mainland, and the province. All of the risks are here and none of the benefits," says Thomas. "And the risks are simply too great to accept."

About Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Tsleil-Waututh Nation is a progressive and vibrant Coast Salish community of approximately 500 members located along the shores of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. For more information please visit www.twnation.ca.

SOURCE: Tsleil-Waututh Nation

[admin]

July 24th, 2012
First Nation Governments will have final say in whether Northern Gateway
Pipeline Project will proceed

Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver, British Columbia— First Nation governments
responsible for their traditional and unceded territories along the proposed route of the
Northern Gateway pipeline and the marine traffic routes for proposed tanker traffic, will
determine whether the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal will ultimately
proceed. A pipeline spill or tanker incident is inevitable, it is just a matter of when, where
and to what extent. For this reason, the vast majority of First Nation governments have
already said “No” to the project.

Yesterday, the government of B.C. confirmed it has not yet decided if it will support the
Enbridge proposal and instead announced five minimum requirements that the province
insists must be met before they will consider endorsing any heavy oil pipeline project.
The federal government has already indicated its full support for the project although its
own environmental assessment is still underway. Most local governments in B.C. have
said “No” to the project.

“The large pipeline projects being proposed in B.C., like the Enbridge pipeline, are highly
controversial and are one of the biggest issues facing First Nations, the province, and
Canada,” stated B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould.
She continued, “The majority of First Nation governments have been strong in their
condemnation of the Enbridge proposal. How the process of considering these massive
proposals unfolds will have far-reaching impacts with respect to the environment,
Aboriginal title and rights including treaty rights, and our local, regional and national
economies.”

On July 13, 2012 the First Nations Leadership Council (the B.C. Assembly of First
Nations Regional Chief, the First Nations Summit Task Group and the executive of the
Union of BC Indian Chiefs) met with senior provincial officials. The purpose of the
meeting was to discuss how First Nations in B.C. and provincial leadership could better
engage respecting the serious issues we collectively face, including proposed large
scale development projects such as the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project. At this
meeting, on a troubling note, the province gave no indication of its imminent plans to issue minimum requirements for heavy oil pipelines.

“As the provincial government continues to assess its position on the Enbridge proposal, it is incumbent that the province work closely with First Nations leadership. We must be fully engaged,” stated Regional Chief Wilson-Raybould. She concluded, however, “First Nations must continue to work with other concerned communities and citizens in B.C., so that the B.C. government will come to the realization, as most of our First Nation governments already have, that the Enbridge proposal does not work for our province.”
-30-

For further information contact:
Alyssa Melnyk
604-922-7733
Alyssa.Melnyk@bcafn.ca

[admin]

"You can't put a price tag on our future"

NADLEH WHUT'EN, BRITISH COLUMBIA

July 27, 2012

First Nations are speaking out against Premier Christy Clark's attention-grabbing plan to approve the Enbridge pipelines and tankers in exchange for payments from Alberta. The Yinka Dene Alliance, a group of five First Nations in BC's interior who hold more than 25% of the proposed pipeline route in their territories, are leading opponents of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project.

The Yinka Dene and over 100 other First Nations have signed the Save the Fraser Declaration calling upon their own Indigenous Laws to place a ban on Pipelines and Tankers throughout the Fraser River watershed and the migration routes of the Fraser River Salmon.

"You can't put a price tag on our future. The Premier's sales job shows how little she has listened to us. It should be very clear to her by now that this Pipeline will not be built," said Chief Martin Louie of the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, a member of the Yinka Dene Alliance. "It is against our own laws for this project to proceed and our Rights and Title can't be sold."

The BC government recently announced its five requirements that the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines needs to meet in order to obtain provincial approval. Among these was the requirement for the Rights and Title of First Nations to be addressed and be able to participate in the project. However, First Nations all over BC have rejected the project outright.

"It is absolutely unacceptable for our Premier to play a game of "the Price is Right" while putting our lands, our waters and our futures at risk to devastating oil spills," said Terry Teegee, Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council. "The Premier is putting on a show because she's under political pressure and needs votes, but her actions have very real consequences for us here on the land. This is our lives, the well-being of our families that she is playing with. We won't let her sell our lands out from under us."

Chief Louie added: "Clark has admitted that BC will take 100 percent of the risks from tankers and most of the pipeline risk. For her to turn around the next day and start bargaining for royalties - that's knowingly trying to sell all British Columbians out. This project is not in Canada's best interest and it's not in our best interest. First Nations, municipalities, and a majority of British Columbians want nothing to do with Enbridge's dangerous project, and the Premier is way out of touch with the people on this issue."


Contacts:
Tribal Chief Terry Teegee
250-640-3256

Chief Martin Louie
250-570-7759

Yinka Dene Alliance
yinkadenealliance@gmail.com
twitter: @yinkadeneA5
http://www.facebook.com/yinkadenealliance
http://www.yinkadene.ca