Tag Archives: Marilyn Slett

Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

First Nation says federal government is absent after major spill settlement

Leave a comment

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Nearly a decade after a tug spilled diesel into the territorial waters of a BC First Nation and shut down key harvesting grounds, the Heiltsuk Nation says a new settlement is only one step toward recovery.

The Heiltsuk have reached a settlement with Kirby Corporation, the Texas-based marine transportation company that owns the Nathan E. Stewart tug. The tug hit a reef near Bella Bella, BC in 2016 and spilled 110,000 litres of diesel and lubricants, fouling more than 350 kilometres of shoreline and shutting down a key clam harvesting area. 

But Heiltsuk leaders say the federal government — and Canada’s compensation fund for ship spills — are still “nowhere to be found.” 

Continue reading First Nation says federal government is absent after major spill settlement →
Rivers & Oceans

Great Bear Sea waters move closer to federal protection

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A stretch of ocean off BC’s central coast, where salmon, herring, whales, sea otters and some of the province’s largest kelp beds share waters with fishing boats and coastal communities, is moving toward federal protection.

Six First Nations, Ottawa and the province signed an agreement Friday to establish a new National Marine Conservation Area Reserve in the Great Bear Sea, beside the globally known Great Bear Rainforest.

Continue reading Great Bear Sea waters move closer to federal protection →
Energy

Pipeline north or south? Risks follow either BC route

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Another pipeline along the existing Trans Mountain corridor may be the most realistic route from Alberta to tidewater, but many agree the environmental risks still follow the oil.

The federal government is currently considering various pipeline routes from Alberta — to the Lower Mainland of BC near Vancouver, or a northern line to the port of Prince Rupert. The move comes as Ottawa and Alberta build on an MOU signed in November 2025 to potentially ship another million barrels daily to Asia. 

Continue reading Pipeline north or south? Risks follow either BC route →
Energy, Indigenous Nations, Politics

Coastal First Nations hit back after pundits and politicians challenge its legitimacy in pipeline debate

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Disagreements over a proposal to build a pipeline to the BC coast has ignited a debate over who has the right to speak on behalf of First Nations. 

After Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a memorandum of understanding with Alberta to advance a new bitumen pipeline to the Pacific coast, he met with Coastal First Nations (CFN) leaders in January. 

BC Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer jumped in on X (formerly Twitter) to label CFN “just an advocacy group,” like a brand name. Fulmer claimed it is funded by foreign anti-energy groups and said if he becomes premier he will ban any foreign-funded organizations that attempt to influence BC politics.

Continue reading Coastal First Nations hit back after pundits and politicians challenge its legitimacy in pipeline debate →
Energy, Politics

Coastal First Nations say they are open to cooperation, not pipelines

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, Coastal First Nations leaders said they are still firm in their opposition to a new oil pipeline. 

“Our interest isn’t about money in this situation, it’s about [the] responsibility of looking after our territories and again nurturing the sustainable economies that we currently have here,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of the Council of the Haida Nation and vice president of CFN, speaking at a press conference. 

Continue reading Coastal First Nations say they are open to cooperation, not pipelines →