The Northern Gateway: Urge Canada to listen to First Nations
The majority of First Nations whose lands and waters might be affected by the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline have called on the federal government to reject the project.
Amnesty International believes the government must listen to First Nations.
See 4 reasons why the pipeline should not be approved against the wishes of First Nations.
Amnesty International has heard from First Nations along the pipeline route in northern BC about the continued vital importance of salmon and other wildlife to their cultures and livelihoods. We have also heard about the lasting harm that is still being experienced as the result of a long history of government decisions imposed on their communities – and the deep rift of mistrust that this has created.
Despite a lengthy public review of the Northern Gateway proposal, fundamental issues of Indigenous peoples’ ownership of the land, and their right to make their own decisions about its use, have never been properly addressed.
What the federal government does next will be a crucial test of its willingness to uphold human rights standards vital to Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world.
Please write to Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources, urging his government to live up to its human rights obligations by guaranteeing that the project will not proceed against the wishes of affected First Nations.
Thank you for taking action. What Canada does at home matters for human rights in Canada and abroad.
Sincerely,
Alex Neve
Secretary General
Amnesty International Canada
P.S. After an environmental review process that – although shorter than the Northern Gateway Review – was more careful in its consideration of Indigenous rights, the federal government has rejected a proposed mine on the territory of the Tsilhqot’in people in British Columbia. Read more about this positive decision for Indigenous rights
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