First Nations elected and Hereditary Chiefs from across Northern British Columbia have joined together to sign a letter that declares their support for the development of a multibillion-dollar energy pipeline corridor through their traditional territories by Eagle Spirit Energy.
First Nations leaders support the government of B.C.’s position that the shipment of LNG is the priority. The proposed energy corridor is not only the solution for shipping B.C. LNG but also Alberta oil, reads a joint statement by the First Nations.
Eagle Spirit Energy was formed as a First Nations-led initiative to develop an energy corridor from Alberta to B.C. tidewater. An energy corridor means that pipelines can be built to efficiently and safely transport liquefied natural gas, and later on oil, to a proposed tanker loading export facility located on tidewater in northern B.C.
This letter to Prime Minister Harper, and Premiers Clark, Notley and Wall states, “our support is for moving forward with Eagle Spirit to continue to meet with all communities, to continue the necessary due diligence in terms of the environmental protection, to assess the viability of the project, and to clearly establish the benefits to our communities.”
This is the first time that First Nations have come together with such a resolution. It is a responsive model developed to provide appropriate consultation, enhanced land and marine environmental protections, and fair compensation for the Province of British Columbia, First Nations, and northern communities.
Exclusivity and benefits agreements, and non-disclosure agreements have been signed by those First Nations through whose traditional territories the pipelines would cross. The initial and ongoing participation of impacted First Nations will be incorporated into the project through the formation of a Chiefs’ Council.
The parties are presently working together to determine the final route and towards the completion of final binding agreements.