Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Energy, Indigenous Nations, Industry

Trump tariff threat a Trojan horse for B.C.’s fossil fuels

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Trump’s tariff threat provides convenient cover to accelerate the expansion of fossil fuels and raises alarm bells about First Nations rights tied to mining, say critics.

The B.C. government announced it is fast-tracking an “initial” mix of 18 energy, mining and fossil fuel projects, valued at $20 billion, that have business cases still needing government permits or approval.

It’s a bid to diversify trade markets so B.C. is never again exposed “to the whims of one person in the White House,” Premier David Eby said this week.

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Business, Indigenous Nations

Squirrel Cove Project temporarily on hold, Q&A

There has been very little movement at QXMC’s Squirrel Cove project recently, so Cortes Currents emailed Marco Bedetti, General Manager of QXMC, three questions.

Cortes Currents: What’s happening with the Squirrel Cove Project? 

Marco Bedetti: “As observed when passing by, there is currently no active construction on the site. We have successfully completed a critical phase of the project, which involved clearing the area and preparing it for future development.”

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    Food Security, Indigenous Nations, Politics

    What B.C. Premier Eby’s mandate letters mean for Indigenous peoples

    By Bhagyashree Chatterjee, The Squamish Chief, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

    What do Premier David Eby’s latest mandate letters for ministers mean for Indigenous peoples? 

    These letters, all dated Jan. 16, shape the government’s priorities, and this term, they focus on “reconciliation, economic growth, and community well-being.”

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    Indigenous Nations, Politics

    No ‘Team Canada’ without First Nations land rights, BC leaders say

    Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

    First Nations leaders say they must be part of “Team Canada” — and decision makers on resource projects — to combat looming U.S. tariffs as they head into a key annual summit with the B.C. government.

    Eby’s opening remarks at a press conference for the ninth B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering on Tuesday focused on the province working closely with Indigenous leadership to address challenges, such as housing affordability, the toxic drug crisis, global inflation and the threat of the U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. 

    However, chiefs with the First Nations Leadership Council made it clear that making headway on rights and title issues, decision-making around resource projects and aligning B.C. laws with the province’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) were their priorities over the next two days. 

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    Cost of Climate Change, Energy, Indigenous Nations

    ‘No room for fossil fuel expansion’: Grand Chief Steward Phillip clears the air on pipelines

    By Matteo Cimellaro, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

    Long-time climate advocate and First Nation leader Stewart Phillip is walking back controversial remarks he made on Tuesday.

    Canada’s climate advocacy world gasped in unison after Phillip appeared to suggest building out pipeline infrastructure at a news conference. 

    Phillip, who is the Grand Chief of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, was a strong critic of pipelines like Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline and the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion when those projects were under consideration in the early- to mid-2010s. On Tuesday, he said those years were a “different time.” With the uncertainty of the U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada has “no choice” but to reconsider fossil fuel development, Phillip told reporters. 

    Continue reading ‘No room for fossil fuel expansion’: Grand Chief Steward Phillip clears the air on pipelines →