Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway project faces significant risk of delay due to the concerns, interests, and authority of the 42 First Nations along the project route (image: fishing boat arriving in Prince Rupert, Josh Paterson)

Investor urges Enbridge to assess risk of delay

The prospect that Enbridge Inc. [ENB-T]'s $4-billion Gateway pipeline project, which would connect Alberta's oil sands with lucrative Asian markets, could become mired in disputes with first nations groups has at least one major shareholder demanding a reckoning

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In 2008 it was discovered that First Coal Corporation clearcut 17 hectares of critical caribou habitiat in violation of their permits. Now they're feeling the heat.

BC First Nation Puts Coal Company and Investors 'On-Notice'

The West Moberly First Nations (WMFN), in northeast British Columbia, is putting Vancouver-based, privately held junior mining company First Coal Corporation (FCC) 'on notice' that WMFN intends to pursue all available means, including legal action, to protect the "Threatened" Burnt/Pine caribou herd and WMFN members' Treaty and Aboriginal rights and interests

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Aboriginal leaders made their voices heard at a rally and Joint Review Panel session Tuesday in Kitimat.

Enbridge pipeline review slammed at meeting

Aboriginal leaders in BC challenged Enbridge's pipeline proposal during a rally Tuesday coinciding with the first Joint Review Panel session in Kitimat

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Eric Swanson, Dogwood Initiative: "A single spill can devastate lives, economies, ecosystems and cultures."

Make it permanent

Allowing oil tankers would threaten the foundations of a sustainable north coast economy. Where oil moves, oil spills.

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First Nations

: cathedralgrove.ca

The struggle between First Nations and the Crown over title will determine the future of BC’s environment and economy.

First Nations have strong unresolved claims to much of the land and resources of BC. Yet First Nations continue to be excluded from land use decisions, while logging, mining, and energy extraction proceed at unsustainable rates.

Breaking the industrial stranglehold on the landbase will be necessary to resolve First Nations land claims.

Resource companies now exercise almost exclusive control (through licences) on over 80% of BC’s land-base.

Until recently, indigenous communities in BC, whose cultures are often intimately connected to the lands and waters of their territories, were overwhelmed by industrial activities that commodified and sold resources from their lands.

But change is coming.

First Nations influence is growing. Powerful opportunities exist to stop unsustainable extraction. Recent precedent-setting court decisions confirm the existence of Aboriginal title and rights over most lands in BC, and create opportunities to challenge the validity of resource tenures.

Through litigation political organizing, direct action, and strategic interventions in the financial market, First Nations are leveraging more say so over their territories.

Dogwood Initiative is assisting First Nations partners assert their title and challenge unsustainable logging, mining and drilling tenures because we believe this approach provides the best available leverage for promoting equality, justice and sustainability in BC.