Permits provide exclusive rights, not land access

Buffalo River Dene Nation Chief Lance Byhette is challenging a recent ruling by the Court of Queen’s Bench that allows two exploration permits for oilsands exploration on traditional territory.  The permits were issued last summer by the province to Scott Land and Lease. Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Grant M. Currie ruled the issuing of exploration permits does not “engage the duty to consult.” The province says the permits grant the company exclusive rights for exploration, but do not permit access to land or excavation. “The Buffalo River Dene Nation will be seeking remedy from all available sources to bring this Breach of Treaty and Treaty Laws to international and national attention to protect the natural, inherent and Indigenous peoples lands, rights and Intergenerational equity vested in the Nation,” states the Buffalo River Dene Nation in a news release.