Controversy over Cheviot Mine gaining strength

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Opposition against the proposed Cheviot coal mine, just outside of Jasper National Park, continues to escalate in spite of the recent approval of the project by the Alberta government.

Environmental groups and concerned citizens fear the coal development will pose a serious threat to endangered animals, including the grizzly bear. The area is also home to the Smallboy Camp, whose 160 members have lived near the proposed site for 29 years. They recently filed a land claim to prevent mining in the Red Cap area, where Aboriginal people have had a presence for over 1,200 years.

A public meeting in July resulted in a citizen-driven ten day march from Edmonton to the east gate of Jasper National Park. The march was kicked off with a rally at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton on August 15. Organizers estimate the rally attracted as many as 135 supporters.

"There is a strong desire and a lot of energy directed at stopping the Cheviot mine," said Colin Saby, a co-organizer of the event. "There is another protest campaign in the works. We will continue with a strong campaign of petitions and letters to the right officials in Ottawa to ensure that the voices of Albertans are heard."

March organizers had hoped to attract the attention of the federal government to withhold approval for the project, which passed a federal-provincial review panel in June and received the approval of the province in August.

"We did manage to raise awareness both through the media and the presence of the marchers themselves," explains Elena Cecchetto, Associate Director of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. "We have shown that there are people in opposition."

The $250-million, open pit coal mine is expected to create approximately 450 full-time positions once the mine is fully operational and up to 900 construction jobs in the Hinton area. The new mine will replace the nearby Luscar mine, which will be depleted within the next two to three years.

Buff Parry, a spokesman for the Smallboy Camp believes the frustrations over the proposed mine was also behind the recent assault of the Smallboy Chief Wayne Roan.

Parry said the attack had to do with the proposed coal mine and said he was compiling information to send to the RCMP.

Hinton RCMP, however, have no new evidence in the attack and are so far considering it to be the result of a family dipute.

Smallboy Camp lawyer Julie Lloyd, said the fight against the mine site is still under way, but has slowed down after the beating of the Chief.

She said the camp has already filed a statement of claim to the federal courts on the basis that the land in question needs to be protected. The claim is also looking for an injuntcion into the development of the coal mine.

She expects the government to bring up the point of band status, since the Smallboy Camp is actually a sattelite community from the Ermineskin Frist Nation in Hobbema. In 1968, a group of Earminskin members left Hobbema to be closer to nature. They became the members of Smallboy.

"We fully expect the feds to bring up the issue of standing," she said. "But in law we are confident that we have the proper standing."

In the eyes of Indian Affairs, the Smallboy Camp has no official status. Indian Affairs considers them to be living on Crown land with the agreement of the province, but they have no rightful claim to the land.

There was no time line given on when the Small Boy statement of claim or the injunction would be heard in court.

Roan said the fight isn't over for the camp. Despite being thrown into a corner and having to come out and fight both the mining company and the government, he is fully supporting the under-dog.

"It's like David and Goliath. In the end Goliath falls. I don't want to see David fall," he said.

1. Elena Cecchetto, Western Canada Wilderness Committee 403-420-1001

2. Colin Saby, organizer 403-433-5446

3. Thom MacDonnell, organizer 403-487-0415