The Power of First Nations
Often being considered as a minority group, the BC aboriginals finally stepped under the spotlight with a powerful voice against the $ 6.5 billion Enbridge Northern Gateway Project. The Gateway Project aimed to build pipelines from Alberta to the coast of BC to ship oil to the Asia market. The location where Enbridge is planning to build pipelines makes the First Nation a huge stakeholder in this issue.
To Enbridge, the First Nations people are a serious external threat that has negative a political influence as well as social influence. Since Aboriginals have rights to their land, they can decide which economic activities can be developed on their land. However, there have already been nine court challenges from the Aboriginal groups trying to block the Project.
The conflicted beliefs on environment and economics set the two groups apart and block their partnership.
The following strategies incorporates knowledge acquired in class, which can promote partnership between Aboriginal groups and Enbridge.
- Insure the available job opportunities for BC Aboriginals who are interested in the Project
- Build community facilities that are accessible for the Aboriginal groups
- Focus on Research and Development to decrease the potential hazards of oil leakage
- Build more security/ check stations along the pipeline for emergency response
- Avoid water sources that are used by the Aboriginal groups to avoid potential contamination
Works Cited:
“Aboriginal Rights.” Aboriginal Rights. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/land-rights/aboriginal-rights.html>.
Cryderman, Kelly. “Supreme Court Ruling on Native Land Claims Adds to Uncertainty for Pipelines.” The Globe and Mail. 26 July 2014. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/supreme-court-ruling-on-native-land-claims-adds-to-uncertainty-for-pipelines/article19356432/>.
Laanela, Mike. “Northern Gateway Pipeline: First Nations Outline Constitutional Challenges – British Columbia – CBC News.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 14 July 2014. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/northern-gateway-pipeline-first-nations-outline-constitutional-challenges-1.2706376>.
Montpetit, Isabelle. “Background: The Indian Act.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 14 July 2011. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988>.