Canada’s Assembly of First Nations (AFN) chiefs have voted unanimously to reject any changes to the oil tanker ban off the northern coast of British Columbia.
As Dan Karpenchuk reports, the resolution came during a First Nations meeting in Ottawa, and less than a week after the federal government and Alberta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) about a future pipeline.
The chiefs also voted in a favor of requesting that Ottawa withdraw the MOU, since it could pave the way for a new pipeline through BC.
But the national chief of the AFN, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, says Native leaders are united.
“Canada can create all the MOU’s, project offices, advisory groups that they want, the chiefs are united. When it comes to approving large national projects on First Nations lands, there will not be getting around rights holders.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney also addressed the AFN meeting, saying he plans to meet with coastal British Columbia First Nations.
Merle Alexander is lawyer who represents two of those bands.
“First Nations in Canada are feeling overwhelmed. They’re feeling as though there is, that the duty to consult is being undermined. There also is a push back against this regression on environmental and climate change policies.”
Last week, PM Carney and Premier Danielle Smith (C-AB) signed an MOU to co-operate one energy. That opens the way for an exemption from the coastal tanker ban to support a new pipeline to the west coast and easier access for Canadian oil to Asian markets.
The ban has been in place for about 50 years.
It bars oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 tonnes of crude oil from stopping or unloading at ports from the north end of Vancouver Island to Alaska.
(Courtesy Indian National Finals Rodeo)
For five days, the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) is held in October in Las Vegas.
The older generation passes the torch to the new one as up and coming riders compete for a shot at a world title.
KNPR’s Jimmy Romo attended the rodeo and has this story.
Behind the bucking chute at the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, young riders suit up in their protective gear.
There’s a good chance a 2,000-pound bull could step on them after they hit the ground.
Rodeo hands funnel
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