Today, as Canada takes possession of the controversial and ill-fated Kinder Morgan
pipeline and tanker project, Indigenous leaders renew vows to enact their rights
as proper title holders by protecting their territories against this project and its
devastating risks and impacts.
While misleading information about Indigenous support for the pipeline has
been widely circulated, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) emphasizes that
the standard for Indigenous approval must be our free, prior and informed consent –
not merely consultation – as articulated by the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, which Canada has officially endorsed and committed to
adopt without qualification. Indigenous Nations will not allow Canada to override
Indigenous Title and jurisdiction.
According to the latest statistics from news outlets, out of 106 Indigenous
Nations and groups identified along the pipeline route in BC alone, 64 have not
signed agreements and an additional 14 have active court challenges underway.
Further, this pipeline and tanker project will affect lands, rights, and resources that
should have been historically protected for Indigenous Nations by colonial and
Canadian governments but were not. Along the proposed route, there are at
least 400 unresolved specific claims – a vast number of historical losses yet to
be redressed by the federal government. This does not include specific claims
that could arise as a direct result of the pipeline expansion.
“This ill-conceived and dangerous project, now owned by the Canadian
government, will never happen,” stated UBCIC President Grand Chief
Stewart Phillip. “Canada is foolishly forfeiting billions of dollars – this is
not an infrastructure investment but a massively expensive experiment
in trying to reenact a colonial status quo. Canada can rest assured that the
collective response by our Nations will continue to be strong, widespread, and
unwavering. We’ve said no from the start. We still say no.”
“The UBCIC will not falter whatsoever in our efforts to safeguard our lands,
coasts, waters, and fisheries, which have sustained our people for centuries,”
said UBCIC Vice-President Chief Bob Chamberlin. “We will defend the
ecological security of our territories. The fact that Canada failed to secure
a purchaser for the pipeline by the proposed deadline demonstrates that
this was, is, and will continue to be an irresponsible expenditure of Canadians’
tax dollars.”
“This pipeline purchase is the Doctrine of Discovery in action,” said UBCIC
Secretary-Treasurer Chief Judy Wilson. “It speaks louder than all the rhetoric
in the world: Canada thinks that, when it comes down to it, they hold the final
say in what happens with our lands. But we are sovereign Nations and
we have never ceded, surrendered, or relinquished Title. We hold the sacred
responsibility to protect these lands and we will do so.”
From: www.ubcic.bc.ca
