This article came from Wawatay News: http://www.wawataynews.ca/
Remember back in January when all sides were talking about the new relationship between the federal government and First Nations? Phrases like resetting the relationship, unlocking the potential and realizing the promise were being bandied about by everyone involved.
Those days seem like a long time ago. Since then a number of major resource projects have taxed the federal government-First Nations relationship. Paramount is the Northern Gateway pipeline that would bring oilsands bitumen to BC’s west coast, for transport by supertanker to Chinese refineries. Over 50 First Nations oppose that project, including nations with traditional lands all along the pipeline’s route.
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver lumped together opponents to the pipeline, including First Nations, environmentalists and labour organizations, as “radicals” out to stop all development. He stated publically that these radical groups are being funded by foreign money in order to “undermine Canada’s national economic interest.”
A backbench Conservative MP from Alberta’s oilsands region, Brian Jean, later commented that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if foreign money was being funneled to First Nations in order to buy their opposition to development projects.
Those are not comments conducive to resetting the relationship.
Now the hostility is escalating, again over resource development on First Nations traditional territory.
Last week the federal government announced changes to the country’s environmental review process. The number of federal departments and agencies involved in environmental reviews will be reduced from 40 to three. Strict timelines for environmental reviews will be set. The government wants to speedup the review process. Small projects will no longer need an environmental review. Many large projects will fall solely under provincial jurisdiction.
The changes have been, predictably, complemented by industry and criticized by environmentalists.
But it is First Nations who hold many of the cards when it comes to major resource projects right across the country.
Late last week Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) leaders released their own response to the changes.
They are not happy.
In a severely worded press release, NAN warned that northern Ontario may see direct confrontations between First Nations and mining companies on traditional lands this summer.
Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose said the first step for any regulatory change should have been developing a process that recognizes the rights and interests of First Nations.
Instead the government is downsizing one of First Nations most effective means of making indigenous voices heard on resource projects.
The result will be less First Nations input into regulatory reviews of resource projects, even when those projects are on traditional territories.
That means First Nations will have to work even harder to make their voices heard early in the development stage, during the consultation process. In the long run it will affect consultation and the ability of companies to acquire First Nation approval of resource projects.
In a press release sent out by NAN, Grand Chief Stan Beardy tied the issue of fast tracking environmental reviews to the 30th anniversary of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“It is ironic that after 30 years, we are still here talking about a government trying to run roughshod over First Nations Treaty rights in the name of resource development,” Beardy said.
NAN’s response to the changes was full of harsh words. If their predictions come true and a flurry of direct action strikes at development across northern Ontario, the harsh words of this past week will seem tame in comparison.
It really makes one wonder. What happened to the new relationship everyone was talking about only three months ago?