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Kinder Morgan: Not Just A Pipeline

The Kinder Morgan pipeline project impacts thousands of lives. With an increase of tax revenue resulting from the project, many government-funded facilities will be improved, such a health care and education programs. The construction, design, and upkeep of the pipeline will generate numerous jobs. However, the pipeline will also cut through almost two entire provinces, and inevitably a huge portion of indigenous land. Many individuals from indigenous communities have spoken out against the implementation of the project with no results. The pipeline will impact their lives, with some revenue going back into their pockets, but most cycling back to the governments. This will possibly leave First Nations in a worse financial state than before, as they now must build their lives around the pipeline. The project also has a large potential to cause harm to the environment, The likeliness of an oil spill is not as small as one would like to think. The contamination of the land, water, and ecosystems surrounding the pipeline’s route would be very messy and potential dangerous.

#government #bc #canada #indigenous #kindermorgan #pipeline

Muskrat Fals: the Impact

What recently occurred at Muskrat Falls affects the indigenous population residing by the Lower Churchill river. The installation of the dam will cause the river to flood, thus, releasing methyl mercury into the water. This will poison the fish downstream, a staple food in the First Nations’ diets, and other sea life. The neglect Nalcor, a crown corporation, showed in the Muskrat Falls project is widely criticized. Individuals continue to speak up about the issue. Let this case of indifference towards the Nunatsiavut be a precedent to other similar cases in the future. The government must know that the inherent injustice brought upon the Nunatsiavut people is wrong, and that they must stop its effects. The misfortune may also cause indigenous bands to work together to solve upcoming issues. Unity amongst them will only give them more strength. And, although the indigenous groups in Canada are decently separate, this may just be a turning point in their inter-relationships.

#Nunatsiavut #labrador #muskratfalls #dam #river #government #canada

Edward Cornwallis & Mi’kmaq: Why is it Important?

The injustices faced by the Mi’kmaq should not go unnoticed. Although it was generations ago, the public must still recognize the lasting impact of the Mi’kmaq scalping, brought upon them by foreigners. The manner in which the provincial and municipal governments handle the issue through today’s current events, ie. the renaming of Cornwallis Junior High, public apologies, to name a few, sends a clear message to the public about their stance on indigenous relations. With a very vocal indigenous community, it is crucial that the government and other forms of authority take into account the First Nation’s perspective on controversial issues in the future. Edward Cornwallis and the Mi’kmaq relations also sets an example of how wrong things may go if all parties are not heard in discussion and held accountable for their actions. Since the public concern about Halifax’s statue of Cornwallis, it is now time for the government to take responsibility for its past mistakes.

#mikmaq #cornwallis #statue #halifax

An overview of the treaties signed by the British and the Mi’kmaq. They were considered Peace and Friendship treaties, with an emphasis of non-violence. These treaties were set up to reconcile with the indigenous population, as Cornwallis mistreated the Mi’kmaq both before and after the treaties were signed. One Issue in regards to the treaties was the language barrier. Most often, the Mi’kmaq did not fully comprehend the proposed agreement. It was in this way that the settlers took advantage of them.

#mikmaq #cornwallis #halifax #treaty

Halifax council voted against reconsidering how city honours founder Edward Cornwallis

The Cornwallis statue was defaced in May 2013 with the words, “FAKE” written in graffiti across the monument. Evidently, people are upset about having a statue erected displaying a man who initiated genocide over the Mi’kmaq people. Cornwallis has recently been called a “war criminal” and many locals have been lobbying for the removal of the statue. Others claim that he is a “hero”, as he was the founder of Halifax. Both a sensitive and controversial topic, both viewpoints on Cornwallis’ behaviour are felt very strongly by Nova Scotians.

#cornwallis #graffiti #halifax #statue #nova scotia #mikmaq

A deeper look into the Trans Mountain Aboriginal Engagement Program. The organization strives to create a comfortable environment for all indigenous parties. Their goal is to provide them with as many financial benefits as possible, as well as being able to make compromises and maintain a stable relationship with them. Below is a link to the Kinder Morgan Aboriginal Relations Policy.

https://www.transmountain.com/uploads/pages/1387070270-KMC-Aboriginal-Relations-Policy-FINAL.pdf

#kindermorgan #pipeline #bc #indigenous

Kinder Morgan Pipeline: The Breakdown

The Kinder Morgan pipeline project was approved by the federal government. Expected to carry approximately 300,000 to 890,000 barrels of oil per day, the project will undoubtedly generate ample revenue for British Columbians and Albertans. The pipeline will also create a total of 37,000 jobs. The proposed project will cost the federal government around $6.8 billion and projected profits from the pipeline stand at just under $47 billion.

Only a third of the indigenous peoples in the area were initially support of the pipeline, which will intersect cut through the land they’ve been living on for generations. Although through persuasion, some of the First Nations have changed their minds about the pipeline, many are still strongly against the project. Protests have been organized in Vancouver, as well as in several other places. The Kinder Morgan Aboriginal Relations Policy was created alongside approximately 40 First Nations. Kinder Morgan must stick to the promises made in the policy. The First Nations definitely do not have the upper hand in this situation, once again subtly taken advantage of through their land and resources. Although they do receive compensation for their losses, this is not the ideal situation for them.

source: https://www.transmountain.com/proposed-expansion

#kinder morgan #pipeline #first nations

Edward Cornwallis: A Military Man

Edward Cornwallis was born into a noble family. Being one of the middle children, it was custom to either become a priest or join the army. Cornwallis fought in the Battle of Fontenoy against the French. When Cornwallis’ commander was killed, he was appointed to take over the position. He also led 320 soldiers into battle at Culloden against the Scotts. Both these battles were prime examples of brutal 18th century warfare. Fought with bayonets, sometimes soldiers were required to run into enemy lines, stabbing their opponents to death. It is important to note that Cornwallis had a strong and harsh military background prior to his excursion to present-day Halifax. Some sources state that Edward Cornwallis suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This probably explains (not justifies) his radical actions towards the Mi’kmaq people, specifically his placement of the bounty on Mi’kmaq heads.

#scalping #edward cornwallis #military #halifax #mikmaq

Cornwallis’ Contact with the Mi’kmaq

Cornwallis landed with his fleet of 2,500 men in Chebucto Bay in 1749. The harbour where the fleet landed was special to the Mi’kmaq people as it was their main docking area and was also where many members of the community resided. After little-to-no negotiations with the Mi’kmaq and failed attempts at signing treaties, Edward Cornwallis ordered a bounty on Mi’kmaq heads. This genocide was not limited to Mi’kmaq men, but also children, women, and elders of the community. The Mi’kmaq were treated like animals, or, some would argue, as a stepping stone to founding Halifax. Instead of human beings, they were seen as an obstacle to achieving what was important to Cornwallis and his settlers: establishing an imperial outpost in the New World. This obviously broke any initial trust and/or respect the Mi’kmaq kept for the settlers for generations to come. The animosity the Mi’kmaq held is evident through many current events. For instance, the defacing of the Statue of Cornwallis in downtown Halifax and the petition to change the name of Cornwallis Junior High School.

#halifax #cornwallis #scalping #treaty #bounty #genocide #mikmaq

The Halifax Regional School Board has voted to rename Cornwallis Junior High, a public school named after the city founder who ordered the mass killing of Mi'kmaq people.

Cornwallis Junior High’s name was changed in 2011 due to intense lobbying by Mi’kmaq activists. Dan Paul, longtime activist for Mi’kmaq rights, says, “I feel like dancing in the street, but I'm too old for that. I'd probably drop dead!" This is a step in the right direction. Recognizing our ancestors’ mistakes is a starting point to building a better relationship with indigenous communities, but we still have a long way to go.

#cornwallis #mikmaq #school #name change #halifax #nova scotia

The proposed route for the Kinder Morgan Pipeline, extending over 1,150 km. The project brings up risks of oil spills, possibly damaging salmon spawning territory in the Lower Mainland of BC, watersheds in the Fraser Valley, the vast ecosystems in the Salish Sea, among many other areas where life currently thrives. The pipeline also intersects over 60 First Nations communities opposed to the project. Since the Kinder Morgan project was approved this week, the federal government the environmental and social concerns regarding the pipeline must have seemed manageable...

#pipeline #kindermorgan #bc

British Columbia’s Kinder Morgan Pipeline: Approved

http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/11/29/news/british-columbia-prepping-battle-after-major-pipeline-approvals

#pipeline

Generally, those in favour of the pipeline supported the project because it created jobs, increased tax profits, as well as the energy industry of British Columbia. Tax revenues collected from the project would later help fund schools, health resources and other enterprises. The Kinder Morgan pipeline would specifically positively impact communities in British Columbia and Alberta.

People against the pipeline held concerns about the risks of pipeline spillage, which would impact both the environment and communities surrounding the pipeline and marine life. However, the article fails to mention the indigenous communities that will be impacted by the construction of the pipeline.

#pipeline #kindermorgan #bc

The federal government needs to decide whether to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project before a Dec. 19 deadline, but many First Nations are still mulling whether to support the plan.

Initially, the Supreme Court granted Tsilhqot’in First Nation an Aboriginal title over 1,750km of land in interior BC. This meant that the people residing there had the right to control land and “reap the benefits flowing from it” (2014). In early 2016, the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was supported by the federal government, meaning “free, prior, and informed consent over development on their land”.

Evidently, Tsilhqot’in peoples are uneasy about the project, The pipeline project was strongly rejected by them. Charlene Aleck, a councillor for the Tsleil-Waututh people expresses her stance on the issue by holding up a sign in protest, reading “I want clean energy, Not Kinder Morgan”.

#kindermorgan #firstnation #pipeline

Nalcor's official Muskrat Falls website

Nalcor’s official website dedicated to the Muskrat Falls project suggests that the construction of an 824 megawatt dam over the Lower Churchill river will provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with a clean, renewable energy source. Nalcor claims that the installation of the dam will render the provinces less dependent on other sources of energy, such as oil and fossil fuels as well as create a more self-sufficient economy in the Maritimes. The corporation has been working for 35 years to ensure its promise that the project will be both environmentally and economically friendly.

#nalcor #dam #muskratfalls

Environmental Issues: Muskrat Falls

Nalcor is not being completely transparent when they claim that the installation of the project will be environmentally friendly. Constructing a dam will cause the water levels in the Lower Churchill river to rise. Flooding would likely result in dangerously high levels of mercury being deposited into the river, killing fish, seals and seabirds. This is detrimental to the indigenous people living off the river, as fish are a staple in their diet. The Nunatsiavut First Nation would be primarily impacted by the presence of mercury in the seafood, and would be forced to adopt a different source of protein into their diets. Hollis Yetman, a representative of the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association, stated that, “I hear there's going to be lots of studying, but there's no one here going to tell you that you're going to be able to eat the fish without methylmercury poisoning in the future," after Nalcor had the project approved (Jan 2013).

Upset with the approval of the Muskrat Falls project, many Nunatsiavut people have spoken up. The Make Muskrat Right campaign was created in November 2015. Supporters of the movement lobbied for the provincial government to fully clean the reservoir. Many members of the public are rallying behind the campaign.

Not only did the Nunatsiavut people conduct Make Muskrat Right, but the Nunatsiavut government also launched a study alongside Harvard University set to research the increase of methyl mercury levels in the water in and around Muskrat Falls. Results from their research showed an increase of mercury levels prior to the beginning of the project, suggesting that the environmental concerns at hand are more serious than previously projected. This is a pressing issue for the Nunatsiavut, the project has more impact on their way of life than any other people. The results of the study were devastating, and the effects of the dam itself will be even more detrimental.

#reservoir #Nunatsiavut #mercury #muskratfalls

The Make Muskrat Right campaign educational video, stating Nunatsiavut concerns about the construction of the dam on the Lower Churchill river.

#video #make muskrat right #Nunatsiavut #muskrat falls #campaign #muskratfalls

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