Federal and provincial governments disregard Indigenous Title and Rights
Today, we unequivocally reject the Harper Government’s decision to approve the Enbridge Northern Gateway tanker and pipelines project and First Nations will immediately go to court to vigorously pursue all lawful means to stop the Enbridge project.
We have governed our lands, in accordance to our Indigenous laws, since time immemorial. Our inherent Title and Rights and our legal authority over our respective territories have never been surrendered.
Our inherent rights are human rights constitutionally enshrined, judicially recognized and embodied in international legal instruments including the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
This project, and the federal process to approve it, violated our rights and our laws. We are uniting to defend our lands and waters of our respective territories. Our rights and laws compel us to act.
Enbridge’s Northern Gateway tanker and pipeline project exposes all communities from Alberta to the Pacific Coast to the undeniable risk of pipeline and supertanker oil spills. First Nations and the majority of British Columbians believe this project poses an unacceptable risk to the environment, the health, the safety and livelihoods of all peoples throughout this province.
We will defend our territories whatever the costs may be.
Council of the Haida Nation
Gitanmaax Band Council
Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs
Gitgaat
Gitxaala
Gitxsan (Delgamuukw)
Haisla
Heiltsuk
KitasooXai’xais
Lax kw’alaams
Metlakatla
NadlehWhut’en
Nak’azdli
Neskonlith Indian Band
Office of the Wet’suwet’en
Saikuz First Nation
Takla Lake
Tlazten
Tsetsaut / Skii km Lax Ha
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Wet’suwet’en First Nation
Williams Lake Indian Band
Xatsull
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council
Coastal First Nations
St’at’imc Chiefs Council
Tahltan Central Council
Yinka Dene Alliance
BC Assembly of First Nations
First Nations Summit
Union of BC Indian Chiefs