BC Hydro is planning to construct a large dam and hydroelectricity generating station on the Peace River in northeastern British Columbia. The effects that would ensue from building these power sources would be flooding 83 kilometers of the Peace River and destruction of First Nation’s land. The problem for BC Hydro is that even with consent from Stephen Harper for this project, a group of First Nation chiefs will appeal the decision in the Federal Court of Canada. It will be very difficult to win against the First Nations in court because they have strong arguments regarding their hunting and ceremonial practices. However, if BC Hydro can negotiate with the group of chiefs and possibly offer them a stakeholder position they could convince the chiefs into agreement of the dam. To learn more about the dam and the controversy surrounding it, click here. I think that any company, not just BC Hydro, needs to be extremely cautious when planning to infringe upon Native land. They have been abused for many decades through means such as the residential schools, where new settlers tried to assimilate First Nation children and rid them of their culture. Not to forget that their land was practically stolen from them, which is why I recommend that companies tread lightly when trying to build megaprojects that can possibly destroy the sanctity and serenity of Native land.
Hi, this is seven years after these comments BUT the bottom line as always is “ How much money will it take ? — as per your recommendation of offering them to be stakeholders “
It’s always about money . Residential schools were probably a good idea at the time to educate these young children .
Plus , all who did die from disease etc were definitely buried at some time and “ not dumped into unmarked graves in a clandestine manner “ , as is so often mentioned by the indigenous people and reported by the media.
If these First Nations really want to govern themselves , how come they’ve never been able to organize the trillion dollars given to them to be able to manage to supply their reservations with clean water . Have you ever looked at some of the houses in various reservations ?? Many are in disrepair and neglected —- neglected just like the “ unmarked graves “ were from 75-100 years ago. Just disgusting how much money has been given to them without any real benefit to society .
As to healing , I’ve never been hurt , long before I was born but even now at 77 years of age , I don’t need to heal . It seems like healing and reconciliation again us tied to “ how much money will it take “ to properly heal.
Make all of us taxpaying Canadians and then we can go forward . No more handout to squander , no more apologies either because wasn’t it called the Indian Wars and the white nan won these battles .