(Fort Nelson BC – March 12, 2014) The Fort Nelson First Nation is hosting the First Nation Shale Gas/LNG Summit – Striking the Balance being held in our Traditional Territory on April 14th-16th. This event is invite only, and will be bring together over 300 First Nations leaders, provincial and federal government representatives, natural gas industry proponents, as well as leading energy thought leaders to share information and to discuss the risks and opportunities that come from Shale Gas – LNG development.
We are a nation of approximately 800 Dene and Cree members who live both on and off reserve and who are deeply connected to our territory which covers approximately 14 million hectares of what is now Northeastern British Columbia.
There are four gas plays active in British Columbia. Three of them are in the territory of the Fort Nelson First Nation: the Horn River, Cordova and Liard Basins. Our members, as always, are seeking to strike the balance that will allow us to enjoy the economic benefits of the latest natural resource boom in our territory with the need to protect our land and culture for the survival of future generations.
Our survival as Dene and Cree people is tied to our land and to our Treaty. Our Elders tell us, “Take care of the land. It will take care of you.” For generations, our land has sustained us. It is both who we are and where we are from. It is our livelihood, our culture, our history and who we are. Without our land, we have nothing. Our treaty confirms this.
In 1910, our grandfathers signed Treaty 8, a peace and sharing treaty that confirmed our rights and responsibilities to our lands within our traditional territory. Today, we challenge British Columbia and Canada to honour the treaty in all decisions made about our land.
We look forward to having a great dialogue and networking session.
Thank You! Mussi Cho!
Chief Sharleen Gale
Fort Nelson First Nation
Media are invited to observe the LNG Summit. To register for the event and for more information, please contact Project Manager Rena Zatorski at 250-613-7337 or zatorski@hotmail.com. Further information is available at http://www.fortnelsonfirstnation.org/lng.