A former law professor from the University of Alberta has begun talks with the Dene Tha' First Nation, which won a landmark ruling in November to delay the giant Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline project.
Federal Court Justice Michael Phelan ruled that the federal government had failed to consult northern Alberta's Dene Tha' about the project, which would see a pipeline built to Alberta from the Beaufort Sea.
The new federal negotiator, Tim Christian, said Thursday he's well aware some of the Dene people will be angry at the federal government following the court ruling.
"Understandably, in many of these cases there is anger, and it's part of my job to hear what people have to say, and to try to understand their concern, because what we're really interested in doing is finding out to what degree the Mackenzie Gas Project will impact on the aboriginal rights of the First Nations."
Christian expects to hear plenty from band members about the effects on hunting and fishing rights, which are protected under the law for First Nations.
Bob Freedman, a lawyer for the Dene Tha', said the small band is not against the development. However, he said, the Dene want to negotiate things such jobs and possible royalties from the pipeline.
"All issues are on the table in the sense that [Christian is] there to listen. That doesn't mean, by any means, that he's obligated to agree with issues the Dene Tha' raises. But, in terms of economic initiatives, opportunities, I suppose everything is open for discussion."
Freedman said some early discussions have taken place with Christian, and he said there appears to be goodwill.
The federal government has already announced it will appeal the Federal Court ruling, and Freedman said he's not surprised by that.
"Because the decision has implications — not only for the Dene Tha', but for First Nations across Canada — and because we know a number of large projects are coming, I suspect Canada has concerns about living with Justice Phelan's decision," Freedman told CBC News on Wednesday.
Related
MORE NORTH HEADLINES »
- Tahera Diamond in creditor protection
- Tahera Diamond Corp., which opened the first diamond mine in Nunavut, said Wednesday it has obtained court-ordered protection from its creditors, citing insufficient cash to fund its operations.
- Aboriginal films from around the world hosted on new Canadian website
- A new service allowing filmmakers from around the world to share and show their work on a website could become the YouTube of aboriginal cinema.
- Yukon skiers, park rangers warn of avalanche dangers
- Park rangers are echoing concerns by Yukon backcountry skiers about the risk of avalanches in the Chilkoot Pass area.
- Northern store rewards Cambridge Bay man for honest deed
- A man in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, was rewarded for turning in $8,000 of a local store's missing cash to the bank.
- Yukon phasing out 15-seat vans for school trips
- The Yukon's Education Department is phasing out the use of 15-passenger vans to transport students during school trips, citing the same safety concerns that came to light after a fatal accident in New Brunswick.
Canada Features
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - link will open in new window
