While they might have polar opposite views on Kinder Morgan鈥檚 Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, two prominent First Nations leaders can at least agree on one thing: Indigenous voices are not being sought or heard in talks about the controversial project鈥檚 future.
鈥淲ithout question, it represents a very stark contradiction to the commitments made by Prime Minister Trudeau with respect to a nation-to-nation relationship,鈥� Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, who serves as the president of the , told CTV Power Play from Vancouver. Phillip is a staunch opponent of the pipeline鈥檚 expansion.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 imperative -- imperative -- that the federal government include us going forward,鈥� president and pipeline proponent Stephen Buffalo added from Edmonton. 鈥淣ation-to-nation is what Justin Trudeau said. You鈥檇 think that the premiers of the provinces would recognize that as well and open those doors.鈥�
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be meeting with Alberta and B.C. Premiers Rachel Notley and John Horgan in Ottawa on Sunday to discuss the project, which Trudeau and Notley support and Horgan vehemently opposes. No Indigenous groups have been invited.
鈥淚n regards to this meeting coming up on Sunday鈥� we鈥檙e not participating,鈥� Buffalo stated. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to try and make a decision for us. So how do I get in the door?鈥�
鈥淭here are three jurisdictions in this country: federal, provincial and Indigenous,鈥� Phillip added. 鈥淭he issue of consent鈥� (should) represent a normal part of the approval processes with respect to major development projects, and yet we have a government that is saying that this in the national interest and we鈥檙e going to ram this project through.鈥�
Phillip is against the pipeline鈥檚 expansion because of environmental concerns while Buffalo supports it for the potential economic benefits it could bring to First Nations communities.
鈥淚 think the key to this issue is to know and understand that Indigenous jurisdiction, Indigenous land rights and consent is at the heart of this issue,鈥� Phillip said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e being kind of ignored,鈥� Buffalo said. 鈥淥ur interests need to be heard as well鈥� It鈥檚 important that we continue to be heard.鈥�
