B.C. First Nations Oppose Enbridge, Tankers

B.C.’s coastal waters are stunning in their beauty and richness. Pods of orcas ride the tidal currents, salmon make their spawning journey up hundreds of rivers, and fishing boats ply the waters for halibut and other catch. More than 45,000 coastal jobs, from First Nations fishing boats off Haida Gwaii to a burgeoning eco-tourism sector, depend on this unspoiled natural bounty. So do the spirit bear cubs in this photo, where they were caught on camera eating mussels less than a mile from the proposed oil supertanker route.

On February 4, the Gitga’at held a large rally in Prince Rupert. The rally drew more than 2000 participants, solidifying opposition to the Enbridge oil tanker and pipeline project. Sierra Club BC’s Caitlyn Vernon spoke at the rally. Photo: Ian McAllister

In March 2010, Coastal First Nations issued a declaration banning tar sands crude oil tanker traffic from their territories. In making the declaration, the Haida, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo, Haisla, Gitga’at and other First Nations exercised their ancestral laws, rights and responsibilities over the waters and lands of their traditional territories

“As Nations of the Central and North Pacific Coast and Haida Gwaii, it is our custom to share our wealth and live in harmony with the broader human community,” said the declaration. “However, we will not bear the risk to these lands and waters caused by the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and crude oil tanker traffic.”

As of December 2011, more than 130 First Nations had also signed on to the Save the Fraser River Declaration. The declaration states that they will not allow the Enbridge pipeline or other related tar sands oil projects to cross their lands, territories, watersheds, or the ocean migration routes of Fraser River salmon.

“We will not sit idly by as our cultures and our lands are threatened,” said Harold Yeltatzie, president of Coastal First Nations. Yeltatzie made the statement at a December 2011 press conference in Vancouver, at which the First Nations publicly declared a ban on oil pipelines and oil tanker traffic on both B.C.’s north and south coasts. “The consequences of a catastrophic oil spill on our people and our culture cannot be calculated or compensated," said Yeltatzie.

The First Nations declarations, which Sierra Club BC supports, offer an opportunity for all of us to work together to protect our coast and to promote reconciliation among First Nations peoples and the rest of B.C. and Canada. Learn more about our work in the Great Bear Rainforest.

In January, at the Enbridge hearings in Kitimaat Village, Haisla chiefs spoke eloquently about the impacts a pipeline would have on their traditional use of coastal lands and waters. At the hearings in Smithers and Burns Lake, Wet’suwet’en chiefs and community members, and even a 10 year old girl, described how different cultures rely on clean rivers for wild salmon. They talked about how the proposed pipeline puts wild salmon and other wild foods at risk.

In Prince George, about 100 people, led by the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, braved -30 degree weather to march against Enbridge with drumming, singing, chanting and signs. Watch a video.

Sierra Club BC urges our governments to recognize Aboriginal laws and decision-making authority, and to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It’s in all of our interests to maintain healthy ecosystems for healthy food, clean drinking water and sustainable livelihoods.

Learn more about coastal First Nations.