Shushwap bands sign agreement with Duke Energy

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An alliance of seven Shuswap bands met together in Williams Lake just before Christmas to sign an agreement with Dennis Elias, vice-president of regulatory services for Duke Energy Gas Transmission's B.C. Pipeline & Field Services Division. The bands represented were Canoe Creek (Chief Hank Adams), Canim Lake (Chief Roy Christopher), High Bar (Chief Yvonne Smith), Esketemc (Alkali Lake)(Chief Dave Belleau), Soda Creek (Xats'ull) (Chief Dorothy Philips), Sugar Cane (Chief Willie Alphonse Jr.), and Whispering Pines (Chief Richard LeBourdais).

Discussions regarding a planned expansion on the Transmission South pipeline through traditional Shuswap territories have been ongoing for over a year.

"It has been a challenging and educational process to negotiate on behalf of seven communities at one time," Alphonse Jr. said. "Wording has to be exact."

Philips agreed, "Sometimes too many parties make it hard to negotiate properly on behalf of your own band. Some bands may be more impacted by certain agreements. For example, if a pipeline goes right through fields and close to homes it has a larger impact."

The Dec.13th signing was significant in that it ensures open communication between the bands and Duke Energy as well as serving as a protocol for future negotiations.

"It's an agreement, but it's only a first step," Philips said. She added that she wouldn't have signed if there hadn't been a clause stating the agreement has to go back to the community for ratification. "I signed on behalf of the community," Philips said, "now I take it back and discuss the details with the community." She added, "If there are any real concerns then it goes up for a BCR (band council resolution). It isn't a good agreement until the community agrees."

Duke Energy has a long history of operating facilities in British Columbia. They have signed agreements with other First Nations and believe strongly in the need to conduct meaningful discussions with First Nations in areas they operate. "We will continue to work to achieve mutual and tangible benefits," Elias said.

With this agreement the bands will benefit by increased employment and contract opportunities as well as a yearly amount of up to $50,000 per band that will be available for education programs, post-secondary scholarships and cultural development.

Duke Energy will benefit by being able to approach the bands in the future with the expectation of shorter waiting times and less paperwork, which will help with quicker negotiations for possible amendments.

"We have always been and will continue to be supportive of developing opportunities with local communities," Dennis Elias said. He added they want to "build relationships with communities that are long-term positive relationships. The relationships must be sustainable, based on mutual goals and mutual respect."

"It is the first time communities in our area have come together for mutual agreement. There was definitely a big effort by the communities and the staff," Willie Alphonse Jr. said. "It shows the big corporations we can sit down and work together."