AFN and Treaty 8 First Nations call for Full Panel Review on Site C
Hydroelectric Dam and fulfillment of Duty to Consult with First Nations

OTTAWA, Sept. 20 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo and AFN British Columbia (B.C.) Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould on behalf of the AFN and Treaty 8 First Nations, today called for a full panel review of the environmental assessment process related to the Site C hydroelectric dam project for Peace River, B.C.

"First Nation leadership across Canada fully supported the efforts of Treaty 8 First Nations and supporters as they took their message by canoe to the B.C. Legislature," said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo.  "Their message is simple and it is has been said many times before: First Nations are calling for a fair, open and transparent process that will ensure full consultation and accommodation of all First Nations with respect to their Treaty rights and Aboriginal title. First Nations across the country expressed support for the Treaty 8 First Nations through a national resolution at our Annual General Assembly this past July."

Yesterday, First Nations and supporters from the Peace River Valley and across Treaty 8 territory gathered at the provincial legislature in Victoria to deliver a message to Premier Gordon Campbell to stop the Site "C" Dam - a $6.6 billion plan to build a hydroelectric dam on the Peace River. This will be the third dam of this kind on the river.

"First Nations in B.C. are not unilaterally opposed to all development, but we must be involved in making decisions about projects that have the potential to affect our constitutionally protected Aboriginal and Treaty Rights," said B.C. Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould.  "There must be a full assessment and accommodation of the potential impacts of the proposed Site C hydroelectric dam project on the Treaty rights and traditional, environmental, social and economic interests of Treaty 8 First Nations." 

The Council of Treaty 8 Chiefs has expressed concern over negative environmental impacts on several occasions, including a press release earlier this year stating that the dam, combined with forestry, oil and gas and mining projects, would cause irreversible damage to fish, wildlife and local agriculture.

In a more recent press release on September 9, it was noted that if the plan for the hydroelectric dam goes ahead, valuable river and wetland ecosystems in the Peace River Valley and in the Athabasca and Mackenzie Deltas will be destroyed. Additionally, lands inhabited by several Treaty 8 First Nation communities will be impacted, compromising their traditional practices including hunting, fishing and trapping.

Other supporters of Treaty 8 First Nations include the David Suzuki Foundation, Sierra Club, Wilderness Committee and the Peace Valley Environment Association.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.

For further information:

AFN Communications Officer Jenna Young at 613-241-6789, ext 401, 613-314-8157 (mobile) or [email protected]