The Gitxsan people are outraged with the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Agreement
by Gitanmaax Indian Band
Contrary
to the announcement of Elmer Derrick of today’s date, the
representatives of the Plaintiffs to the British Columbia Supreme Court
Action No. 15150, cited as Spookw v. Gitxsan Treaty Society, oppose the
Agreement. The Gitxsan plaintiffs include Hereditary Chiefs and four
Gitxsan bands with a population of over 6,000 Gitxsan people; the
majority of whom are House members in the Gitxsan traditional system
represented by Hereditary Chief, Spookw, in the court action.
The representatives do not support Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline
agreement entered into by Elmer Derrick and state “Elmer Derrick and
the Gitxsan Treaty Society/Gitxsan Economic Development Corp. does not
speak for all Gitxsan. The Gitxsan people had no knowledge of the
proposed Agreement nor were they consulted”. The Plaintiffs contend that
the Gitxsan Treaty Society, or the Gitxsan Development Corporation,
does not have the authority to enter into such Agreements without
consulting or being authorized by the Gitxsan people.
Knowledge of the signed Agreement was only obtained through media,
much like the Gitxsan Alternative Governance Model of May 2008, the
subject matter of litigation in Spookw v. Gitxsan Treaty Society.
The representatives say that not only were the communities not
consulted, but importantly, the Environmental Review Process is not yet
complete with community hearings being scheduled for January 2012;
therefore, a decision to support it is, at best, premature. Until the
Environmental assessment is complete there is no basis for saying this
project is safe to build.
The Representatives say the 7 Million dollars is a pittance in
comparison to the potential environmental impacts which will be
catastrophic. The GTS/GED is willing to jeopardize the sustenance of the
First Nations people for a few million dollars is reprehensible and is
not supported by the Gitxsan people.
Mr. Derrick espouses the importance of Gitxsan Law; however, breached
such law by announcing and celebrating the Agreement on the day of the
funeral of an elder matriarch and Hereditary Chief. This type of conduct
brings shame and is disrespectful to the grieving family and the
traditional system.
The representatives say that Mr. Derrick has embarrassed and shamed
the Gitxsan people by undermining the 61 First Nations who are opposed
to the project. The representatives say “We stand in solidarity to those
opposing it.”
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
December 2, 2011
Gitanmaax, B.C.
... ...
Contacts for further information: Chief Councilor Marjorie McRae,
Gitanmaax Indian Band at 250-847-0393 and/or Hereditary Chief Guuhadawk,
Norman Stephens at 250-842-8197.
