Canadian Aboriginal Groups Oppose Pipeline

By ⋅ February 9, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
The proposed pipeline would run from Bruderheim, Alberta, to Kitimat, British Columbia. (Photo: youtube.com/EnbridgePipelines)

The proposed pipeline would run from Bruderheim, Alberta, to Kitimat, British Columbia. (Photo: youtube.com/EnbridgePipelines)

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Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in China this week.

He is heading a delegation of Canadian business leaders aimed at forging closer economic ties.

Those business leaders signed nearly $3 billion worth of deals with Chinese enterprises Thursday.

China has a particular interest in Canadian energy, which is worth many more billions.

This includes a proposed Canadian pipeline to the Pacific Ocean.

It would move sludge-like oil known as bitumen from Alberta’s oil sands to the West Coast, where it could be shipped to China.

But not all Canadians are on board with the proposal.

This week, aboriginal groups from British Columbia sent an open letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao asking China to raise the native community’s concerns about the pipeline with President Harper.

Anchor Marco Werman talks to Chief Jackie Thomas, one of the signatories of the letter, about why native communities do not want the pipeline.

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One comment for “Canadian Aboriginal Groups Oppose Pipeline”

  • http://www.facebook.com/GotMilked Johnny Chan

    It would certainly be in China’s best interests to support and preserve Native People’s identity and rights in its dealings with the Canadian government, as any further harm done to Native People’s land and lifestyle, the blame game by Western propaganda would center attention against the Chinese. Canadian governance and media-mind control is as bad as any historic colonial and oppressive power against Native People: forced relocation and marginalization of Natives, no true Native ethnic and cultural representation during the worldwide broadcasting of Native culture during the 2010 Winter Olympics, erasing the Asian/Native-like ethnic identity on the new Canadian 100 dollar bill, etc. China is a champion of preserving Native-Indigenous ethnic and cultural identities and their environment, despite ongoing challenges, and that should not end with commercial/industrial dealings with “big brother” relationships.