Nations want say on exploration

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VANCOUVER-Two organizations representing 23 First Nations of the north and central coast and Haida Gwaii issued a statement Sept. 25 in which they claim they have been unilaterally shut out of participating in the federal review of a moratorium on offshore oil and gas development.

Signatories to the statement were the Coastal First Nations of the Turning Point Initiative, which includes Old Massett, Skidegate, Council of the Haida Nation, Metlakatia, Gitga'at, Haisla, Kitasoo/Xaixais, Heiltsuk and Wuikinuwx; along with the 13-member alliance from the Kwakiutl District Council, Musgamawgw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council and Tlowitsis First Nation.

Their members are the Kwakiutl Nation, Mamalilikulla-Qwe-Qwa Sot-Enox Nation, Namgis First Nation, Tlowitsis Nation, Da'naxda'xw Nation, Tsawataineuk Nation, Kwicksutaineuk Nation, Gwa'sala Nakwaxda'xw Nation, Tlatlasikwala Nation, Cape Mudge Nation, Campbell River Nation and the Comox Nation.

The government of Canada established two panels to study offshore oil and gas development and to co-host consultations, which these First Nations aimed to be part of, according to Turning Point executive director Art Sterritt.

"As late as July 25, we were led to believe by Natural Resource Canada officials that more meetings were to be held to move forward with our proposal."

The First Nations complain that they had not received a definitive response prior to Canada announcing its own appointments to both the Scientific Review Panel and the Public Review Panel.

"The review process cannot be considered credible or complete without our involvement," said Dallas Smith, co-chair of the Kwakiutl District Council, Musgamawgw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council and Tlowitsis First Nation.