Alberta’s oil sands are the third-largest proven crude oil reserve in the world, next to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
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“Therefore”, it continues, “our Nations hereby join together under the present treaty to officially prohibit and to agree to collectively challenge and resist the use of our respective territories and coasts in connection with the expansion of the production of the Alberta Tar Sands, including for the transport of such expanded production, whether by pipeline, rail or tanker”.
First Nation and Tribal Chiefs gathered today in Musqueam Territory (Vancouver) and Mohawk Territory (Montreal), to sign a new continent-wide Indigenous Treaty – the Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion – that commits already some 50 First Nations and Tribes from all over Canada and the Northern US to working together to stop all proposed tar sands pipeline, tanker and rail projects in their respective territorial lands and waters. Projects proposed by Kinder Morgan Inc, TransCanada Corp. and Enbridge Inc. are just some of the targets for opposition, according to CBC News.
The National Observer reported that two ceremonies in Quebec and B.C., Canada took place regarding the Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion.
While the goal is to remain peaceful, he said all options are on the table. If they don’t, well then we’re …
“We have a few hundred years of experience in making sure that our voice is heard”.
“We want to work with the Prime Minister and the government to develop a sustainable economy that does not marginalize our people”, he said.
Though treaties can be criticized as symbolic, they also pave relationships between nations that can lead to partnership in court action, and tangible support for anti-pipeline encampments, including donations of food and supplies, and volunteers. Petroleum proponents say energy and oil consumption needs are increasing, and they need to extract more fossil fuels to meet those needs. “We’re trying to help it, we’re trying to help the country and we’re trying to help this planet”. They will take heat of what this represents.
He added that indigenous people are at a watershed moment for asserting their rights. “It requires a collective response”, the treaty states.
The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association said that while there is a critical need for pipelines in Canada, it encourages discussion about energy with aboriginal leaders.
Trudeau is under pressure from petroleum advocates and Canada’s Conservative opposition to approve a major pipeline that would carry Alberta oil to global markets-something he has repeatedly said he is in favor of doing, as long as it’s done in a “responsible” way that includes First Nation consultation.
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Alberta’s NDP government is already moving to implement a wide range of measures to reduce emissions from the oil and gas industry, including a total cap on carbon emissions from the oilsands and aggressive methane emission reductions.
