What is more important ? Generating clean and sustainable energy for Industries? or protecting the ancestral fishing grounds of the First Nations people? This dilemma of weighing the demands of businesses to that of the aboriginal people is one that has sparked of a range of debates, and has done so once again in the case of the BC Hydo’s hydroelectric project. The dam they propose to build will encroach upon, and flood 83 kilometres of Peace River Valley; an area that has since long ago been used by the First Nations people for fishing and ceremonial purposes.
As per BC Law businesses are obligated to “consult” and “accommodate” First Nations on any land or resource issues that will affect them(1). Businesses therefore have to convince the aboriginals on letting them build on their land. Giving them a share in the revenues or sharing profits isn’t enough. Such an approach might work in a developing country where the percentage of poor is quite high, but in a developed nation such as Canada, you need a bargaining chip other than money. All the First Nations want is the business community to appreciate and respect the love they possess for their ancestral land, and businesses need to understand that. You want to convince them don’t bully, rather listen to them.
Yes, a hyrdo power project will have economic benefits and it will create employment, but it also creates a large opportunity cost of ignoring the rights of an integral community. Businesses need to Co-exist. They cant always use their monetary strength and size to lure opinion in their favour. There is more than one river in BC! therefore rather than wasting resources in fighting court cases they are most likely to loose, they should go find alternatives to their ideas.
Works Cited:
(1) http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=8CF98F756A984198AFD80AEA0E472F05
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html