First Nations and Tar Sands Industry Clash in the Courts and the Hague
PEACE RIVER, ALBERTA, May 26, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- "We may be a small community, but we carry a big stick", says Chief Donny Testawich of the Duncan's First Nation, one of the many Treaty #8 First Nations located within the tar sands producing areas of northern Alberta. This week, the small Cree community walked into Canada's top court and the Hague Netherlands to take on the Government of Alberta and Royal Dutch Shell over the impacts of tar sands developments and trampling of their Constitutionally protected Rights.
The Duncan's First Nation and the Horse Lake First Nation's lawyer presented at the Supreme Court of Canada's hearing in the matter of the Carrier Sekani and Rio Tinto case - a case that will determine how Canada's energy regulators are to deal with the conflict between First Nations' rights and major energy projects such as the Tar Sands.
The two First Nations are representative of a growing number of First Nations opting to take on Alberta, Canada and the tar sands industry in the courts and on the home turf of the world's most powerful oil corporations. Testawich adds, "First Nations are tired of Alberta's "song and dance about how they responsibly regulate the oil industry and protect the environment and our rights. The reality is that there are two environmental oil related disasters unfolding in North America today - the Gulf spill and that caused by Alberta and its "results based", hands off approach with the tar sands industry. It is clear to us that the emperor is not wearing any clothes. We have nothing to lose at this point but to pick up the stick - our constitutionally protected rights, and take them into Canada's courts."
At the same time this week, the Duncan's took action in Europe. A group of Alberta First Nations arranged access to Royal Dutch Shell's AGM in the Hague Netherlands with the assistance of the Indigenous Environmental Network and Friends of the Earth Europe.
Representatives of the Duncan's, Beaver Lake, Chipewyan Athabascan, Mikisew and the Lubicon Nations addressed Shell's CEO, investment firms and shareholders on the impacts of the tar sands mining and In - Situ projects on First Nations communities and their rights. Chief Don Testawich confirms "the constitutionally protected rights and unresolved concerns of First Nations pose a significant risk to Shell and its investors' interests that will result in delayed and halted projects and stranded investment". The Duncan's issued a letter to Shell shareholders briefing them of the impacts and risks associated with the cumulative impact of Shell's operations, its proposed Carmon Creek Expansion In Situ Project, and a growing list of major energy projects that will fuel and make full out Tar Sands expansion realizable.
Contacts:
For Further Information Contact and Media Package Contact:
DFN
Chief Don Testawich
(780) 597 - 3777
DFN
Ken Rich
(780) 625 - 4750
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/first-nations-and-tar-sands-industry-cl...
