Aboriginal groups not enthused by federal outreach – Prince George Citizen
Two initiatives announced by Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford in Prince Rupert earlier this month to engage First Nations in the development of energy infrastructure projects, like pipelines, have received a lukewarm welcome from two local aboriginal groups.
Rickford announced the opening of a Major Projects Management Office in Vancouver -which opened last week- and a tripartite forum to include First Nations leaders, the province and federal government.
Chief Martin Louie, of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation near Fort Fraser, said if the goal of the initiatives is to engage First Nations it has already started on the wrong foot – Louie did not hear of the announcement until contacted by The Citizen after the announcement.
The Nadleh Whut’en are a member of the Yinka Dene Alliance, one of six First Nations that have signed a declaration banning the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline from their traditional lands.
