Halfway River First Nation blockades road

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The 200 members of the Halfway River First Nation assembled on the road beside their traditional hunting camp on Aug. 13 to blockade and halt the activities of the province's oil and gas industry. The camp is in the path of the proposed Petro Canada pipeline, and the booming industry is causing disruptions to band members' way of life, driving big game out of the area.

The nation is located northeast of Fort St. John, and band members rely on hunting and gathering as their primary food source, and trapping for a living. Attempts have been made by the band to bring its concerns to the government and industry, but the result of hundreds of letters and many meetings has been a waste of time, said the chief.

"Our Treaty 8, signed in 1899, constitutionally guarantees us the right to enjoy our traditional rights, without interference by resource developers authorized by the province of British Columbia. . . ." said Chief Bernie Metecheah.

At a community meeting held Aug. 10, people expressed concern that the hunting area was suffering with the ongoing clearance by the Petro Canada pipeline work.

The fastest way to destroy traplines, driving away fur-bearing animals and destroying habitats for elk, moose and deer, is to fragment the forest environment, which is what oil and gas activities do. The 23 km of the pipeline in question is poised to destroy four of seven hunting camps.

"This hunting camp is one of our most sacred areas and is dear to our people. It is our food basket for elk, deer and moose," said Elder Edward Achia.

The Halfway River First Nations demands a total moratorium on all resource development on their traditional lands until an independent and comprehensive environmental impact assessment be completed, with the involvement of First Nations.

The band also wants the federal government to live up to its fiduciary responsibility and negotiate the interpretation and implementation of the community's treaty rights.

The band wants the Petro Canada pipeline stopped and all resource developers to agree to negotiate agreements with the First Nation relating to proper consultations, avoidance of interference with treaty rights, mitigation and compensation for damages and guarantees of socio-economic benefits to the First Nation.