DAKELH TERRITORY, PRINCE GEORGE, BC, Oct. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - First Nations, governments and developers took a major step today towards making sure First Nations are properly informed and equipped to make decisions about proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) developments in Northern B.C.
Chiefs from First Nations affected by the developments and major energy companies were joined by the Japanese Ambassador, Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver and BC's Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad.
Tribal Chief Terry Teegee from the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, which hosted the event, said: "This is a great first step. Never before have so many of the people involved in a process like this come together to talk about how we might move forward. These decisions are decisions of the people, so today we have started to find ways of making sure they are involved."
British Columbia has become a focal point in the global race to provide LNG to the Asian market. Presently there are 12 players in B.C. with proposed projects to ship LNG to Asia. If built, these projects will impact around the points of gas extraction, along the gas pipelines and around ports and shipping routes.
First Nations leaders continue to meet tomorrow (Oct 10) to discuss next steps and to map out ways of making sure that communities are involved in and understand any decisions made. Further announcements on this process are expected in the coming weeks.
You can keep up to date with developments and join the discussion on Twitter @firstnationslng using the hashtag #firstnationslng. You can also find information on the program's Facebook page - search First Nations LNG Strategy.
Notes for editors:
Images, video and audio from the day will be available.
Image with caption: "Tribal Chief Terry Teegee of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council stressing the importance of First Nations working together on LNG development projects in BC. (CNW Group/Carrier Sekani Tribal Council)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131009_C8620_PHOTO_EN_31905.jpg
SOURCE: Carrier Sekani Tribal Council
Juli Holloway or Andrea Zazzi at Coppermoon Communications: [email protected] / [email protected]; 1 877 475 0754.
If you would like to speak to someone at the event, contact Richard Truman: [email protected] 1 778 929 1662.
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