CALGARY, AB – May 12, 2022 – Press Release) – The Indian Resource Council, an organization representing over 130 First Nations who produce or have direct interest in the oil and gas industry, was gratified by the opinion handed down by the Alberta Court of Appeal determining that the federal Impact Assessment Act is unconstitutional.
The Indian Resource Council was an intervenor in the case. It objected to the federal government’s overreach in determining, on behalf of Indigenous nations, whether a project is in their interests or not. Indeed, the IAA would clearly limit the economic activities that nations could participate in, in violation of Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Indian Resource Council sees Opinion on Impact Assessment Act as “a victory for Indigenous rights”
The reference affirmed the IRC’s view that the IAA “smacks of paternalism” and undermines the ability of Indigenous nations to make agreements with provinces and industry proponents.
“The opinion is a victory for Indigenous rights,” stated Chief Roy Fox, Chair of the Indian Resource Council and Chief of the Kainai Nation. “The Courts are recognizing federal overreach and interference which is incompatible with the autonomy of Indigenous peoples. We have a right to make arrangements with industry and determine what is in our own best interests.”
“As we argued, First Nations have a right to improve our economic and social conditions through the creation of economic activities. Whether that comes from oil and gas production or other projects is our decision, not the federal government’s. They do not get veto power over us,” added IRC President Stephen Buffalo.
About The Author
More Stories
Federal government, AFN reach $20B final settlement on First Nations child welfare agreement
Money to compensate young people harmed by Canada’s discriminatory child welfare system is expected to begin flowing to First Nations sometime next year, now that the federal government and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) have reached a final settlement agreement.
Supreme Court gives Ontario right to appeal treaty obligation
(By Expositor Staff - Manitopulin Expositor - Little Current, ON - June 29, 2022) - Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF)...
West Moberly First Nations Announces Partial Settlement of Civil Claim
West Moberly’s primary concern now is to do what we can to mitigate and heal some of
the damage that the Peace River valley has suffered through the construction of the three
dams, as well as through massive forestry, mining and oil and gas development.
How a canoe trip on the Thames is reviving an endangered Indigenous language
The canoe trip was “a wonderful way to actually see what my ancestors and the mountain people would have seen when they arrived on the Thames in the early 1780s,”
– Ian McCallum, a language educator for the Munsee-Delaware Nation
Why these survivors and advocates want more than an apology from the Pope
The Pope will be in Canada from July 24 to 29 with stops in Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit, and is expected to apologize in person for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system.
National Chief’s Urgent Court Application Rejected
“This decision, in our view, properly declined to intervene in the Executive Committee’s decision to suspend the National Chief, and does not support the claims that our actions were illegal or outside our authority,”
– Regional Chief Paul Prosper, spokesperson for the AFN.
Average Rating