Charlotte receives kudos
Local governments along with First Nations governments spoke with a common voice against oil tankers and Enbridge at the beginning of October.
Kudos were sent to Queen Charlotte from Chief Larry Nooski of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, who wrote on behalf of his nation and Nak’azdli, Takla Lake, Saik’uz and the Wet’suwet’en First Nation for the stand taken at the recent Union of BC Municipalities conference on Oct. 1.
On the same day that local governments agreed to oppose oil tankers in north coast waters and the shipping of tar sands oil by pipeline across the northwest, chiefs gathered at the First Nations Summit. The Summit represents a majority of First Nations governments in BC and they unanimously passed a resolution call on the federal government not to proceed with its review process or its approval of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, without the free, prior and informed consent of affected First Nations.
The letter was copied to several UBCM officials and mayors, but councillor Kris Olsen noted that Queen Charlotte was at the top of the list.
“Unity is the keyword here,” he said, noting that it is exciting to be a part of this groundswell of opposition to the pipeline project.