Yinka Dene Alliance Seeks Federal Assurances Northern Gateway Will Not Proceed

Yinka Dene Alliance reacts to BC’s announcement that it opposes Northern Gateway

by Yinka Dene Alliance

Nadleh Whut’en Territory (Fort Fraser, BC) - Chief Martin Louie of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, speaking on behalf of the Yinka Dene Alliance, issued the following statement today as a reaction to the Province’s recommendation that the National Energy Board should not approve the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipelines and tankers project. The province’s opposition to the Enbridge project was expressed in its written submissions to the Joint Review Panel.

“We acknowledge this significant decision on the part of the Province to reject the Enbridge pipeline. We as First Nations have long said that risk of oil spills to our lands and water is simply too great.

While we are encouraged by this news, the Province should be aware that First Nations are now looking for words to be followed up with concrete actions. We know that it is still possible the federal cabinet will approve Enbridge’s proposal.”

160 First Nations have already said no to the Enbridge Northern Gateway project by signing the Save the Fraser Declaration, which bans tar sands projects as a matter of Indigenous law. According to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, our free, prior and informed consent is required for projects of this nature.

Fully recognizing the decisions of First Nations will also require the Province to work with us to prevent this project from being built. We look forward to meeting with the Province for a government-to-government dialogue in the near future.

“We expect the Province to use everything within its legal and administrative authority to ensure the Enbridge project does not go ahead.”

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For immediate release

May 31, 2013

Contact:

Chief Martin Louie, Nadleh Whu’ten First Nation

Geraldine Thomas Flurer, Yinka Dene Alliance Coordinator

Geraldine Thomas-Flurer
Coordinator-Public Relations

Yinka Dene Alliance
135 Joseph Street
Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A1

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