Yinka Dene Alliance from British Columbia to meet with First Nations along the Energy East Pipeline

VANDERHOOF, BC, June 1, 2015 /CNW/ - The Yinka Dene Alliance, made up of First Nations in northern BC that have banned the Enbridge Northern Gateway Tar Sands Pipeline from their territories, are touring First Nation communities along the Energy East Tar Sands Pipeline route. They are sharing the story of how they came to understand the dangers associated with the Northern Gateway pipeline, and how they built a wall of opposition to the pipeline by creating the Save the Fraser Declaration. The Declaration has now been signed by over 130 First Nations. The West Meets East tour started on May 30^th with a major March to the End of the Line event outside of Saint John, NB and will span three weeks as it follows the Energy East route all the way to Winnipeg.

"Tar Sands pipelines like Energy East and the inherent risks of a toxic pipeline spill or tanker accident are newer issues for First Nations out East, but we are all too familiar with them out West. We wanted to share our years of experience dealing with such issues and start a national conversation on this fundamental matter," said Geraldine Thomas-Flurer of the Yinka Dene Alliance.

The Yinka Dene Alliance believes that the best way to have Indigenous Rights and Laws respected in regard to such enormous projects is to work in collaboration with other First Nations. However, despite its success in building a Western coalition to halt Northern Gateway, the Yinka Dene Alliance remains at risk from climate change as industry seeks to expand the Tar Sands and build alternative pipelines to get oil to market.

For more information on the West Meets East Tour: www.westmeetseast.ca

For more information on the Yinka Dene Alliance as well as the Save the Fraser Declaration: www.yinkadene.ca

SOURCE Yinka Dene Alliance

Geraldine Thomas-Flurer, Coordinator-Public Relations, Yinka Dene Alliance, Cell: 250-570-1482, [email protected]