Lax Kw’alaams hereditary leaders voice support for oil tanker ban

Posted by: Bill Fee, CNFR FM, February 27, 2018

A group of North Coast First Nation hereditary leaders says it is in full support of the federal government’s proposed oil tanker ban.

The Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams says there have been misconceptions about who represents the hereditary leadership of the First Nation. The leadership group says that the Chief’s Council set up to advise proponents of the Eagle Spirit Energy project has been misrepresented as the voice for hereditary leaders in Lax Kw’alaams.

Indigenous-led energy company plans GoFundMe to legally challenge federal oil tanker moratorium

Eagle Spirit Energy has launched GoFundMe account to raise funds for legal effort

CBC News, January 26, 2018

Over the past several years, Indigenous groups have gone to court to try to stop energy projects, arguing they were not adequately consulted.

But this week, an Indigenous-led energy company announced it will sue the federal government for the opposite reason.

First Nations push back against Eagle Spirit pipeline

Group backed by Aquilinis on publicity blitz, say they have widespread chiefs’ support

By Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun,October 4, 2015

Key First Nations in northern B.C. refute there is consensus on an oil pipeline concept initiated by some coastal First Nation members.

Eagle Spirit Energy has issued a trio of news releases in the past week, claiming it has signed agreements and has the support of chiefs along the route of its proposed project — an alternate to Enbridge’s stalled $7.9-billion Northern Gateway project.

Lax Kw’alaams First Nation opposes Eagle Spirit Energy pipeline

The Eagle Spirit Energy company meet with representatives of 30 First Nations over the weekend. (Photo by Eagle Spirit Energy)

Company claims its pipeline has support from 200 representatives of 30 First Nations

CBC News, June 4, 2015

A First Nation in B.C. is contradicting recent claims from Eagle Spirit Energy about its support for a pipeline that would transport crude oil through its territory from Alberta to B.C.’s northwest coast.

Eagle Spirit Energy met with dozens of First Nations communities last weekend. On Tuesday, it announced that 200 representatives from 30 First Nations, including the Lax Kw’alaams, spoke out in support of the company’s proposed pipeline project.

But Lax Kw’alaams Mayor Garry Reece says that’s not entirely correct.

Coastal First Nations Call Out ‘Eagle Spirit’ Pipeline

Art Sterritt, head of the Coastal First Nations lobby group.

Energy project seen as Northern Gateway alternative rejected by two vital aboriginal alliances.

After a Wednesday press conference in Calgary announced new partners in a First Nations-led pipeline project, two major alliances of First Nations have publicly rejected the proposal.

The Eagle Spirit Energy project, which positions itself as a less risky alternative to Enbridge’s Northern Gateway, first set out to secure “social license” for a high-volume energy corridor through northern B.C. in September 2012. With financial backing from the Aquilini Group, president and chairperson Calvin Helin said his company consulted with First Nations and is in the process of designing a proposal that meets those terms.

First Nations Being Courted to Back Tar Sands Refinery Projects on Their Land

Calvin Helin of Eagle Spirit Energy, which proposes a bitumen refining facility prior to transporting Tar Sands by pipeline to the coast.

Companies behind refining proposals are trying hard to avoid the mistakes Enbridge made on Northern Gateway pipeline—but an uphill fight awaits.
By Elizabeth Douglass, InsideClimate News, June 23, 2014

Despite last week’s approval from the Canadian government, uncertainty still dogs Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway oil sands pipeline largely because of a vow from key aboriginal communities to block it.

Others in the oil industry are trying hard to avoid the mistakes Enbridge made when it comes to approaching Canada’s powerful First Nations about projects that could contaminate their lands and waterways.

Pacific Future Energy Corp.’s recent refinery proposal is the latest example.

Eagle Spirit pipeline proposal faces First Nations opposition

Proposed pipeline would carry refined oil from Alberta to B.C. North Coast

CBC News, April 15, 2014

A First Nations-led proposal to build an oil pipeline from Alberta to B.C.’s North Coast will still face stiff opposition from some communities, including one situated at the location of the proposed marine terminal.

Northern Gateway setback could mean opportunity for aboriginal energy proposal

Calvin Helin doing power point presentation in his button blanket regalia.

The Aquilini family, which owns the Vancouver Canucks, said it will underwrite the estimated $18 billion pipeline proposal as long as it gets support of all First Nations through whose territory the pipeline would travel

By Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun, April 14, 2014

VANCOUVER – A First Nations-backed organization has partnered with the Aquilini Group to propose a new pipeline to compete with the struggling Enbridge Northern Gateway project.