Another B.C. First Nation has come out in public support of the $7.4 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
The Simpcw First Nation, whose traditional territory covers a significant portion of the pipeline corridor, is among the First Nations that signed a benefits agreement with Kinder Morgan Canada (TSX:KML).
But few of those First Nations have gone public with their support. On Monday, April 23, the Simpcw issued a press release confirming its support for the project, and challenged B.C. Premier John Horgan for what the nation’s chief characterized as selective listening.
“After seeing what’s out there in the media, council decided that it’s important we speak out,” Chief Nathan Matthew said in a press release.
A number of First Nations leaders, including Stewart Phillip, grand chief of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, have spoken out against the project and led protests against it.
Matthew reiterated what Cheam Chief Ernie Crey has also recently asserted: “no other Nation or organization [First Nation or environmental] has the authority to speak on Simpcw’s behalf.”
Matthew also challenged Horgan for failing to speak with those First Nations that support the project.
“Since coming into office, the new B.C. government has not reached out once to Simpcw First Nation regarding our position on the project,” Matthew said. “Perhaps this is because Premier Horgan is only interested in speaking with those First Nations who align with his opposition.”
“We welcome Premier Horgan reaching out to us – he simply cannot continue to ignore the fact that First Nations in this province, with unceded aboriginal title to their lands, have agreed to the project proceeding.”
After two years of negotiations, Matthew said the benefits agreement offered to his people was put to a referendum, and 78% voted in favour of the agreement.
“If the project does not go ahead, we will lose out on opportunities that we have been working hard at obtaining in the last year or so,” said Simpcw Councillor Don Matthew. “We have dedicated time and resources towards this project and there would be a negative impact if this project were to go away.”
Formerly known as the North Thompson Indian Band, the Simpcw are part of the Secwepemec (Shuswap) Nation, whose traditional territory ranges from Jasper to Clearwater, B.C. It covers roughly one-third of the pipeline corridor in B.C., Matthew said.
“That means one third of the pipeline has the support of the Nation who holds aboriginal title to the land,” he said.
In recent weeks, a number of First Nations have come out in support of the project – notably the Cheam First Nation.
More recently, the Musqueam First Nation also came out publicly in favour of the project's completion. The Musqueam, which are not signatories to any benefits agreements with Kinder Morgan, were originally part of a federal appeal court case against the project, but withdrew last year.
Last week, the Musqueam issued a statement suggesting the Musqueam supports the federal government’s attempts to see the expansion completed.
“We support the Prime Minister’s efforts to find a positive resolution, which would be in the vital strategic interest of Canada: including the Musqueam First Nation,” Chief Wayne Sparrow said in a press release.
