Ep. 191: First Nations groups that want Kinder Morgan built

Guest: Cheam Chief Ernie Crey

The Kinder Morgan pipeline is without a doubt the most divisive issue in Canada.

Or it was until January 2020 when the Coastal GasLink pipeline became the focus of national attention.

It has the potential to tear at the fabric of our Confederation. The Federal Government, the governments of BC and Alberta and First Nations governments are all in a titanic battle.

A number of First Nations along the pipeline route do not want to see it built and others are anxious to see the oil flow through their territories. The Frog Lake Nation of Alberta owns and operates an energy company and it says that without the pipeline, they can’t sell their oil. An outcome they say will doom them to continued poverty.

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation in British Columbia is adamantly opposed to the project and recently sent a delegation to Kinder Morgan’s annual general meeting in Houston to voice its concerns.

The various positions within indigenous communities reflect the divisions over the pipeline throughout the rest of the country. First Nations like cities and provinces have rights that require consultation, agreement and consent.

While many First Nations leaders are opposed to the pipeline, 33 Indigenous communities have signed agreements with Kinder Morgan supporting the project and they are speaking out because they say their position is being misrepresented. Simpcw Chief, Nathan Matthew made it clear his band supports the project and he stated that no other organization or First Nation has the authority to speak on the Simpcw’s behalf.

Cheam First Nations Chief Ernie Crey has taken to social and mainstream media to voice his support for the project. We invited Chief Crey to join us for a Conversation That Matters about his Nation’s reasons for supporting the building of the controversial pipeline.