Northwestern B.C. First Nations set up camp to halt LNG project

A barge carrying equipment related to investigatory work for Petronas’ proposed Lelu Island LNG plant. Photo: Common Sense Canadian.com

Company, province won’t respond to questions on possible investigation of alternate site

By Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun August 27, 2015

Members of northern B.C. First Nations have set up a camp on Lelu Island near Prince Rupert to prevent its use as a liquefied natural gas terminal.

Lax Kw’alaams member Joey Wesley said in a phone interview they made the move because Pacific NorthWest LNG was getting ready to drill on the island and in the ocean.

Lax Kw’alaams First Nations Band Asserts Right To Lelu Island, Slated For LNG plant

The site of the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG plant, Lelu Island, near Port Edward,
Photograph by: http://www.lonniewishart.com , Vancouver Sun

By The Canadian Press, August 26, 2015

LELU ISLAND, B.C. — Some members of a north coast First Nation are gathering on a small island near Prince Rupert, B.C., to protest plans for a liquefied natural gas project.

Members of the Lax Kw’alaams band are preparing to set up tents and carry out other activities on Lelu Island, which they claim as traditional Tsimshian territory.

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.

B.C. First Nations Chief creates alliance for LNG supporters amid backlash

A liquid natural gas tanker in Australia.

JUSTINE HUNTER, The Globe and Mail, May 26, 2015

A group of First Nations communities that supports a liquefied natural gas industry in British Columbia will meet on Wednesday in an effort to forge a pro-development alliance.

Aboriginal leaders who have signed up for benefit-sharing agreements for their communities are facing a strong backlash from other First Nations leaders – often within their own communities.

Over the past month, that opposition has snowballed and the 28 First Nations that have already signed development agreements may find themselves increasingly isolated. Those First Nations chiefs who are still on the fence find themselves in a politically volatile climate.

Province racks up LNG pipeline agreements with 28 First Nations

A liquid natural gas tanker in Australia.

Majority of northern B.C. native groups have signed, but Lax Kw’alaams balking at $1-billion industry-government dea

By Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun, May 11, 2015

VANCOUVER — The B.C. government revealed Sunday it has revenue-sharing agreements in place with 28 First Nations for planned pipelines meant to supply proposed billion-dollar LNG plants on the coast of B.C.

The province had publicly announced eight pipeline agreements with First Nations on four separate pipeline proposals in northwest B.C.

Lax Kw’alaams First Nation turns down $1B for LNG project

The site of the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG plant, Lelu Island, near Port Edward,
Photograph by: http://www.lonniewishart.com , Vancouver Sun

Petronas woos band after applying to build an export terminal on Lelu Island

The Canadian Press/CBC News, May 7, 2015

The first of three votes on a natural gas benefit offer worth over $1 billion has been unanimously rejected by a First Nation on British Columbia’s northwest coast.

All of the more than 180 eligible voters at a meeting in Port Simpson stood up to oppose the plan to build a liquefied-natural-gas pipeline and terminal in their territory, said Lax Kw’alaams band member Malcolm Sampson.

Pacific NorthWest LNG, which is mostly owned by Malaysia-based oil and gas giant Petronas, has applied to build an export terminal on Lelu Island, just south of Prince Rupert at the head of the Skeena River.

‘Game changer’: Gas company offers $1-billion to First Nations band in B.C.

A liquid natural gas tanker in Australia.

JUSTINE HUNTER And BRENT JANG, The Globe and Mail, May 1, 2015

The proponent of a liquefied natural gas plant on British Columbia’s north coast is offering more than $1-billion to obtain the consent of a First Nations community, a groundbreaking proposal that could establish the new price for natural resource development in traditional aboriginal territories.

In a province where resource projects have stalled and sometimes foundered over aboriginal opposition, the tentative deal between the Prince Rupert-based Lax Kw’alaams band and a joint venture led by Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas sets a new benchmark for sharing the wealth from energy extraction.

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.

Lax Kw’alaams reject Enbridge hearings

Terrace Standard, February 15, 2012 

THE LAX KW’ALAAMS band has slammed the next round of federal hearings probing Enbridge’s planned $5.5 billion Northern Gateway oil pipeline.

In a statement released today, Lax Kw’alaams chief councillor Garry Reece called the hearings, next set for Friday and Saturday in Prince Rupert, “a complete sham.”

“The government has already come out in support of the project and this really calls into question the integrity of ….. the whole process,” he said.