“Our people say that we were put here to look after this part of the earth. And we take that seriously.” (Elder Tina Erickson)
How seriously the Tsilhqot’in people take their duty of preserving their unique natural environment near at the BC Pacific coast, was revealed when Enbridge came up with their controversial concept of building an oil pipeline straight across Canada and the First Nations’ lands. Among a few other Indigenous people, the Tsilhqot’in rejected this idea from the beginning, as the project is not only likely to extinguish endangered species but also threatens First Nations’ cultures and traditions.
As the government already approved the construction of the pipeline regardless of the Indigenous Peoples’ opinion and therefore supports Enbridge’s strategy of “buying” their consent by offering them profit participation, the Tsilhqot’in and other West coast peoples find themselves being by-passed and utilized once more and subsequently try to form alliances to fight for the protection of their precious lands.
Thus, the question arises if conciliation can ever be achieved between the profit-driven oil industry and the traditional and preserving First Nations when it comes to sacrificing natural habitats in order to implement new projects. Not surprisingly, Norway could serve as a role model on that domain: The Norwegian government managed to create a balance between the sustainable oil industry and the interests of Indigenous People through establishing a Parliament dedicated to their needs.
Fortunately, the Supreme Court of Canada already made the first step in this direction by officially adjudicating their land to the Tsilhqot’in people.
References:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2014/07/26/Tsilhqotin-With-Gloves/
http://thetyee.ca/News/2014/06/17/First-Nations-Say-No-Gateway/
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2014/06/19/Norway-And-Northern-Gateway/
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/There+will+pipeline/10122968/story.html