TSIMSHIANS CONFRONT PETRONAS

from subMedia.tv, Vimeo, Oct 7, 2015

Yesterday subMedia.tv witnessed the fierce spirit of the Tsimshian people and their supporters as they faced off with the RCMP, Prince Rupert Port Authority and Petronas LNG workers. The Tsimshiams attempted to disrupt the delivery of a barge with surveying and drilling equipment. The surveyors are subcontractors for Petronas, a Malaysian owned company that wants to build a fracked gas facility on Lelu Island, unceded Tsimshian territory. The Tsimshians have occupied Lelu island and have built a protection camp, to defend the island, and the Flora banks, a sensitive eco-system essential for the survival of juvenile salmon and migrating crustaceans. The Tsimshians have called on supporters to come to Lelu Island and stand with them, bring boats or send money and supplied. For more information visit bit.ly/leluisland

Drilling at proposed LNG terminal starts despite First Nation opposition

Drilling ship at work off Lelu Island, Sept 15, 2015.

Prince Rupert Port Authority orders protesters to stay 50 metres away from marine work

By Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun, September 15, 2015
Petronas-led Pacific NorthWest LNG has started test drilling off of Lelu Island, location of its proposed $11.4-billion liquefied natural gas terminal in northwest B.C., despite First Nation opposition.

Members of several First Nations — including the Lax Kw’alaams and the Gitxsan — appeared to stop drilling on the weekend, but the presence of Prince Rupert Port Authority boats has allowed the work to start, Lax Kw’alaams First Nation hereditary chief Don Wesley, also known as Sm’oogyet Yahaan, said Tuesday.

Lax Kw’alaams members seek to stop test drilling at proposed LNG site

Petronas-led proposal for Lelu Island is one of leading B.C. projects

By Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun, September 13, 2015

Northern B.C. First Nation members say they stopped Malaysian state-controlled Petronas, the company behind an $11.4-billion liquefied natural gas terminal, from starting test ocean drilling in northwest B.C. this weekend.

The 33-metre Quin Delta drill ship, owned by Gregg Marine in California, and a barge were moved into the waters off Lelu Island near Prince Rupert by Pacific NorthWest LNG early Saturday morning.

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.

Gitga’at First Nation launches legal challenge of Pacific Northwest LNG

A liquid natural gas tanker in Australia.

It is seeking a judicial review of the B.C. government’s handling of consultation for the liquefied natural gas project on Lelu Island, near Prince Rupert in northwest B.C.

By Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun, July 6, 2015

The Gitga’at First Nation launched a legal challenge of Pacific Northwest LNG this morning.

The First Nation is seeking a judicial review of the B.C. government’s handling of consultation for the liquefied natural gas project on Lelu Island, near Prince Rupert in northwest B.C.

Led by Malaysian state-controlled Petronas, the project’s total cost is estimated at $36 billion, which includes the LNG terminal, pipeline to northeast B.C. and development of natural gas supplies.

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.

Gitxsan LNG opponents protest Kispiox information meeting

by Alicia Bridges, Smithers Interior News, May 20, 2015

The RCMP was onsite at the Kispiox Hall this morning to supervise a protest against an LNG information session being held by the provincial government and the Gitxsan Development Corporation.

Today’s presentation is one of two organized by the B.C. government and the GDC, a Gitxsan enterprise company, to be held today and tomorrow.

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.

Kitselas First Nation signs agreement with TransCanada for gas pipeline

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

By Global News/The Canadian Press, April 23, 2015

TERRACE, B.C. – The company planning to build a 900 kilometre natural gas pipeline across northern B.C. has signed a benefit agreement with the Kitselas First Nation.

TransCanada (TSX:TRP) announced the deal, when signed, will provide financial and other benefits related to the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project.

Prince Rupert LNG pipeline clearing expected by fall

 

Gitxsan Madii Lii camp.

by Chris Gareau,  Smithers Interior News, Feb 16, 2015

Pre-construction clearing for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project is expected to start before the leaves start falling this autumn. The LNG pipeline route travels just north of the Hazeltons on its way from northeast B.C. to Lelu Island near Prince Rupert.

Project president Dean Patry told the crowd gathered at the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce Thursday that prime contractors for the TransCanada pipeline will likely be hired in the second quarter of this year. Community outreach for local subcontractors and employees for the pre-construction is set for the third quarter.