First Nations Warn Enbridge Against Trespassing
Alliance of Band Councils Opposed to Enbridge Northern Gateway Call on BC Government to Withhold Drilling Permits for Unapproved Pipeline
Nationtalk.ca, June 27, 2013
Members of Yinka Dene Alliance during anti-Enbridge rally.
PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA – June 27, 2013 – The Yinka Dene Alliance has sent a cease and desist letter and is warning Enbridge against trespassing in their traditional territories as the company seeks temporary permits for drilling and tree removal for its unapproved Northern Gateway pipeline, a project that is opposed by the BC government and more than 60% of British Columbians.
The Alliance, whose members’ territories make-up 25% of the proposed pipeline route, say that Enbridge’s actions and the BC government’s potential indifference to granting temporary work permits, could put the government’s new relationship with BC First Nations at risk, including future talks on pipelines and LNG.
“The BC government has a constitutional duty to us, and it needs to decide how much damage it is willing to allow Enbridge to do to its own relationship with First Nations,” said Chief Fred Sam of the Nak’azdli First Nation. “Is BC really going to grant these permits to allow Enbridge to drill in our territory?’”
Last month, the Alliance, whose territory spans the width of the government’s envisioned LNG corridor, wrote to Premier Clark, requesting a government-to-government meeting on pipelines and LNG, and received a personal commitment from the Premier to begin high-level talks at the earliest opportunity.
“Premier Clark has given us her personal commitment that this project will not go forward unless it meets her five conditions,” said Chief Martin Louie of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation. “While we thank and respect her for her position, we need to see it reflected on the land. In the meantime, we will enforce our laws and stand up for the people of BC who have said ‘no’ to Enbridge and its dangerous pipelines.”
Anti-Enbridge rally during public hearings held in Vancouver, January 2013.
The temporary work permits are for the construction of 16 drilling pads adjacent to the Salmon, Stuart and Muskeg rivers including tree removal and road clearing, bringing Enbridge drilling crews and local communities into potential conflict.
To make its position clear, the Alliance is placing public notices in local newspapers and erecting signs in its territory to warn Enbridge and its contractors against trespassing, promising to prosecute violators based on indigenous law. Representatives of more than 160 First Nations have signed the Save the Fraser Declaration, banning tar sands oil pipelines from their territories and the migration routes of Fraser River salmon.
Contact Information
Chief Martin Louie
Nadleh Whut’en First Nation
250-570-7759
Jackie Thomas
Saik’uz First Nation
250-567-8048
Geraldine Thomas-Flurer
Yinka Dene Alliance
250-570-1482
Yinka Dene Alliance gives Enbridge its final warning
June 26, 2013
PUBLIC NOTICE AND WARNING ENBRIDGE – NO TRESPASSING
NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS OF
ENBRIDGE NORTHERN GATEWAY INC. AND ENBRIDGE INC.
This shall serve as public notice to all employees and contractors hired by Enbridge Northern Gateway Inc., Enbridge Inc. and/or any of its affiliates in relation to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipelines and tankers project that you are not permitted entry onto the collective territories of the Yinka Dene Alliance nations.
As stated in the Save the Fraser Declaration, the Yinka Dene Alliance has banned the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipelines and tankers project from our territories as a matter of Indigenous law. Ancillary works associated with the project, including investigative field work and surveying activities, are also violations of our Indigenous laws. You are hereby ordered not to engage in these unsanctioned activities on our lands.
Any unauthorized entry onto our lands as described above will be considered trespass and prosecuted accordingly.
Authorized by:
Chief Fred Sam, Nak’azdli First Nation
Chief Martin Louie, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation
Chief Stanley Thomas, Saik’uz First Nation
Chief Dolly Abraham, Takla Lake First Nation
Chief Ralph Pierre, Tl’azt’en First Nation
Chief Karen Ogen, Wet’suwet’en First Nation
Contact:
Geraldine Thomas Flurer
Yinka Dene Alliance Coordinator
250-570-1482
PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 0620213: TRESPASS
http://yinkadene.ca/index.php/media/yinka_dene_alliance_gives_enbridge_its_final_warning
Enbridge asked to ‘cease and desist’ pipeline work
Alliance pursuing legal action, also considering physically blocking Enbridge
CBC News, June 27, 2013
Members of a First Nations group in northern B.C. are warning Enbridge against trespassing on their lands for work along the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
Members of the Yinka Dene Alliance, whose territories are along the proposed pipeline, have sent a “cease and desist” letter saying they are opposed to Enbridge seeking temporary permits to conduct preliminary work, including drilling and tree removal.
Alliance spokesperson Jackie Thomas says the company is not authorized to conduct this work on their land.
“The Joint Review Panel, the National Energy Board, hasn’t even finished its report or made any kind of recommendation for this work to go forward,” she said.
Thomas says the alliance will first pursue legal action against the company for trespassing.
She says they are also considering physically blocking Enbridge from doing work.
“We’ve put the RCMP on notice, and expect the police to provide security.”
Enbridge spokesman Ivan Giesbrecht says the company is committed to doing this work during the review process.
“This was was the type of information that was asked of us at the joint review panel, and obviously it’s a routine part of our project,” he said.
Posted on June 27, 2013, in Oil & Gas and tagged anti-Enbridge, Enbridge, Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, Enbridge pipeline, oil and gas pipelines+Indigenous resistance, Yinka Dene Alliance. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
Warrior Publications 
What can we do to save our world and stop the corrupt people who seem to be in power?