 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Dene Nation signs declaration to oppose Enbridge Pipeline 'It's against Canadian law to go into their territory unless they have an agreement'Angele Cano Northern News Services Published Monday, February 6, 2012
On that day, the Dene Nation signed the Save the Fraser River Declaration, aligning itself with 100 other First Nations from Northern and Western Canada who are opposed to the project. The pipeline, which would stretch more than 1,600 kilometres, from Alberta to British Columbia, would run through Yinka Dene territory in Northern British Columbia. "This resolution is an expression of our support for their right to have decision-making power over developments on their land," said Erasmus. "More than 50 per cent of the proposed Enbridge pipeline and tanker route passes through the territories of First Nations that have banned this development according to their traditional laws." Going forward with the project in Yinka Dene territory would mean violating Canadian law, said Erasmus - a fact that's also outlined in the declaration. "The Yinka Dene made it clear they don't have any agreements or treaties with Canada," he said. "It's against Canadian law to go into their territory unless they have an agreement." A resolution to support the B.C. Yinka Dene Nation was passed at the 41st Annual Dene National Assembly a few weeks ago in Fort Providence. Thirty-five Denendeh chiefs vowed to stand in solidarity to oppose Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. The proposed project is an issue for all communities in the NWT that are already experiencing effects of oilsands expansion, said Erasmus. "Our concern is that the pipeline proposal means the tar sands will expand," he said. "That means more pollutants coming down the river. We are currently experiencing the impacts of an oil spill from Enbridge's Norman Wells pipeline in the Deh Cho region. The company failed to detect this estimated 63,000 gallon spill, which was ultimately discovered by Dene hunters." There are still a remaining 4,500 people who have registered to speak at review panels across Alberta and B.C. "This process has to be worked through," said Erasmus. "This is just the beginning of it."
|
