The Gitxsan Treaty Society is threatening to stop discussions about any proposed pipeline development unless the federal and provincial governments withdraw their land offers to two other northwest B.C. First Nations’ bands. It's given the governments until June 21st 2014 to do so.
The governments have signed agreements in principle with the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum bands for land and rights that the Gitxsan said would be taken away from them.
“These offers by both governments are unconscionable and without proper notice to the affected Gitxsan Simgiigyet,” said negotiator Bev Clifton Percival.
“The crown is giving away lands that are Gitxsan.”
She said they are using pipeline development to get the governments’ attention because it appears to be Canada’s only interest at this point.
“What’s important here for the Gitxsan is that we have a land tenure system, we’ve had our boundaries in place for millennia. The Crown is biasing its offer to one group over ours and we have rights and title to 33,000 square kilometres. It has been presented to the Supreme Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Canada is failing its obligation to us.”
There are currently three proposed natural gas pipeline projects that would go through Gitxsan territory. They include TransCanada’s Prince Rupert Transmission line, Spectra Energy’s Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission line and Pacific Northern Gas’ Looping Project. Clifton Percival said that all the projects will be affected by their deadline.
Stikine MLA and critic for aboriginal affairs and reconciliation Doug Donaldson, said the province needs to go back to the drawing board.
“It’s up to the government to come up with solutions. I’ve offered ones in advance of this, as far as not waiting for the last minute to engage First Nations in shared overlap. They need to do the honourable thing and try come up with a negotiated solution with the Gitxsan and the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum.”
Gerald Wesley, chief negotiator for the Tsimshian First Nations Treaty Society, said in an email that the leadership from both Kitselas and Kitsumkalum feel strongly they are on the right track.
“Negotiators for both communities have been mindful of where respective territorial boundaries have always been and vigilant in working through treaty negotiations to secure lands which are within the history of Kitselas and Kitsumkalum,” he said. “This has been based on extensive research, oral confirmation from elders and strong demonstration of ayaaxw or historic laws,” he said.
Calls to the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, John Rustad, were not returned.