First Nations view stewardship as a responsibility to respect and protect resources in return for using them. First Nations people have a very deep spiritual connection with nature and do not believe in exploiting their values for money. During my time in a BC First Nations Course in grade 12 I learned that First Nations highly value the relationship that they have with nature. Not only is it used to sustain their needs such as food and transportation, but it is a part of who they are as a culture. This is disappointing information for companies such as Enbridge who intend on building their high risk pipeline through traditional territory. I feel like companies such as Enbridge do not understand to a full extent as to how important nature is to them. Quoting Lillian in the article, “Our elders have always said you cannot eat money.” These companies need alter their business models so that it is not so much focused on the money that they can offer to these First Nations groups, but the environmental benefits that this pipeline could potentially offer. If Enbridge cannot come up reasons as to how pipelines, such as the Northern Gateway pipeline, can directly benefit the First Nations then they need to offer an incentive to them. Enbridge should offer their assistance to First Nations groups to help them resolve problems such as helping them create a sustainable way of providing clean drinking water to their communities.

Sources:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/first-nations-water-problems-shameful-1.2759675

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/There+will+pipeline/10122968/story.html

https://www.google.ca/search?q=northern+gateway+pipeline&client=firefox-a&hs=rx1&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=yh0yVLnRII-pogTdyYHwAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=696#rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&q=bc+first+nations+and+northern+gateway&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=3tbxZJ9v50JWnM%253A%3B0bX8CjVYlvKPFM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwarriorpublications.files.wordpress.com%252F2013%252F08%252Fyinka-dene-no-pipelines-banner-april-2011.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwarriorpublications.wordpress.com%252F2014%252F04%252F11%252Fb-c-first-nation-along-pipeline-route-officially-rejects-northern-gateway-plan%252F%3B720%3B540