We are getting a false narrative: First Nations don't oppose energy projects

[Anonymous]

Many people would have us believe Indigenous North Americans are unanimous in their opposition to oil and gas development. Canada has seen a steady stream of protesters travelling from the United States who cite "helping protect Indigenous lands" as their motivation for interfering with oil and gas development projects in this country. Yet Indigenous people in Canada are far from homogeneous. In Canada there are 633 First Nations, plus the Métis people and the Inuit. In the U.S., there are another 574 Native-American groups. Nowhere else on the planet would such a diverse group of peoples be expected to be unanimous about anything.



The anti-resource development stereotype is false. Among Indigenous groups there is clearly some opposition to some development in specific cases. But in recent research, a colleague and I found that an overwhelming majority of the British Columbia and Alberta First Nations that have taken public positions on oil and gas projects are in support of responsible, sustainable development on their lands. Opposition to such development is — by far — a minority view among Indigenous people and communities in Canada.



In arriving at these results, we examined such evidence as: public information filed with regulatory bodies; consultation reports; membership in Indigenous pro-energy organizations, such as the Indian Resource Council; whether First Nations produce oil and gas on reserve land; and whether they had signed "impact benefit agreements" with any resource projects. Using this information, we categorized individual First Nations as clearly "for" or "against" oil and gas development or as "non-objecting/unclear." (In cases where no evidence of support or opposition was available, we put them in a "not available" file.)



n British Columbia, on oil, we found positions in the above sources from almost half of B.C.'s 202 First Nations. Of 96 publicly expressed positions, a minimum of 29 favoured oil development, with just three opposed. Another 64 were found to "non-object" (the language used in the industry) or be unclear. We excluded 106 First Nations as not being relevant to the research, given that they were not impacted by proposed projects and pipelines. (If we measured support or opposition to a proposed sawmill on the shore of the Fraser River in Delta, B.C., we would not count the support or opposition of a town council on the Prairies, given the lack of any impact of such a mill on the Prairies.)



B.C. First Nations' positions on natural gas development are even more clear: 40 First Nations in favour, with none publicly opposed and only one whose position is unclear. (In this case, 161 First Nations either had no public position or were not affected by natural gas projects.)



In Alberta's long history of active oil and gas operations, several First Nations have built their local economies supporting, supplying and in other ways participating in resource development. We reviewed all of the province's 48 First Nations and found that 46 supported oil and gas development, while only two were unclear in their public positions.



Why is there such a disconnect between the supposedly unanimous Indigenous opposition to resource development so often portrayed in the media and claimed by anti-oil and gas activists and the very significant support for oil and gas among Indigenous communities that is revealed in our research? The answer is not complicated: despite what protesters argue, these projects bring environmental oversight and economic opportunity to First Nations, who therefore welcome development, regarding it as win-win.



Coastal GasLink is also an example of how media portrayals of widespread Indigenous opposition are false: all 20 First Nations whose land the Coastal GasLink pipeline crosses have agreements to allow it onto their territory and are thus guaranteed a share of the resulting economic opportunities. Whether it be in right-of-way clearing, camps and camp services, or medical and security services, to name a few, these remote First Nations, many of whom have never participated in such a large project, have welcomed the new economic opportunities the project offers.



It's time to stop considering Indigenous people a monolith when it comes to energy development. It may also be time to ask who these protests really benefit. "Not us," many Indigenous people would suggest.

https://financialpost.com/opinion/gregory-john-first-nations-dont-oppose-energy-projects">https://financialpost.com/opinion/grego ... y-projects">https://financialpost.com/opinion/gregory-john-first-nations-dont-oppose-energy-projects



Professional anti resource development protesters do not speak on behalf of Canada's Aboriginal communities.

[Anonymous]

As an Indigenous oil services business owner, I just want to work

We don't want outside people telling us what's good for us and where and under what circumstances we can run our business



I am a Cree businessman. My wife and I own a successful oilfield services company out of Fort St. John, in northern B.C., near the Alberta border. She is a member of Blueberry Rivers First Nation, whose territory has become a hub for oil and gas activity. We've been blessed to have economic opportunity right in our backyard.



Unfortunately, in the past few years, the act of me working has become political. People are protesting and blockading rail lines over resource development in our region. Oil companies can't get anything done because the regulatory process is so onerous. Other pipelines in our region have been cancelled. All of this affects my ability to keep my employees working and my business running.



From what I see, a majority of Indigenous peoples support these projects and want them for their communities. Times have changed. I see companies take wildlife measures, protect against erosion and leaks, and conduct environmental monitoring. If problems arise, they work to make it right. I know this because I've been the monitor flagging out wildlife areas. I remember once we moved a road so it wouldn't disturb a bear den. I know the companies do their due diligence when it comes to consultation, safe work, and environmental policies.

https://financialpost.com/opinion/as-an-indigenous-oil-services-business-owner-i-just-want-to-work">https://financialpost.com/opinion/as-an ... nt-to-work">https://financialpost.com/opinion/as-an-indigenous-oil-services-business-owner-i-just-want-to-work

[Anonymous]

I had read that the natural resource sector was one of the largest sources of Aboriginal investment and employment.



Indigenous Canadians want natural resources development — why aren't we being heard?



Do not deny us our opportunity for well-being and prosperity simply to serve your stereotypes of what Indigenous peoples should be for and against



The truth is, the vast majority of Indigenous communities in Canada are engaged in natural resource development, and on terms that we agree to. Indigenous communities have entered into over 450 agreements with mining companies since 2000, and 58 per cent have a contract or agreement with a forestry company. Across Canada, 25 First Nations produce oil on reserve and 35 produce natural gas. Dozens more have entered into agreements to have pipelines cross through their territory, and three separate Indigenous consortia are vying to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline on behalf of their communities.



Indigenous-owned businesses are 40 times more likely to be involved in the mining and oil and gas sectors than the average Canadian business. The extractive sector hires twice as many Indigenous employees and pays on average twice as much in wages as other sectors. Natural resource development is where we've been able to make the most progress as employees, contractors, partners and owners. It provides much-needed jobs and revenues to our communities.



I previously worked for the Aboriginal Equity Partners, a group of 31 First Nations and Métis communities who had an ownership stake in the Northern Gateway pipeline. It would have produced $2 billion in economic benefits including jobs, business opportunities, and training for our communities, until it was killed by the federal government. When we went to Ottawa to testify in opposition to Bill C-48, the oil tanker moratorium, Transport Minister Marc Garneau called us "private interests" who were "not in the same category" as the First Nations in support of the government's bill.

https://financialpost.com/opinion/indigenous-canadians-want-natural-resources-development-why-arent-we-being-heard">https://financialpost.com/opinion/indig ... eing-heard">https://financialpost.com/opinion/indigenous-canadians-want-natural-resources-development-why-arent-we-being-heard

[Anonymous]

A lot of people don't want a strong upwardly mobile Aboriginal middle class.



Want richer First Nations? Say 'yes' to pipelines



Allowing resource industries to flourish would boost jobs and incomes in remote areas



At its peak, construction of Coastal GasLink will employ 2,500 people, including many members of local First Nations. Returns from the 10 per cent ownership stake will outlast the immediate benefits of the construction jobs but both matter. To understand why, consider some 2016 census data on how the affected First Nations are faring vis-a-vis other British Columbians.



Statistics aren't available for all First Nations along the pipeline route but among the 15 for which we do have data, 14 have an employment rate — the percentage of their working-age populations that is employed — lower than British Columbia as a whole.



The distribution of salaries across industries suggests that allowing the resource industries to flourish would boost First Nations' incomes dramatically. Median employment income (full-year, full-time) across all industries for Indigenous Canadians was just $44,855 in 2016. But in construction it was $49,262, [size=150]in oil and gas extraction, $117,831, and in pipeline transportation, $142,883.[/size]



There is no easy way to spur economic opportunity for every remote reserve — not all have nearby oil and natural gas extraction or pipeline possibilities. Still, be it pipelines, oil and gas development, mining, forestry, other resource projects or other rural economic drivers, such as agriculture — all economic development has the potential to provide work, employment income and tax revenues for those living on reserve.



And most of this activity requires little from governments, only that politicians and others allow these industries to flourish — including by not standing in the way of pipelines — for the benefit of all Canadians, but especially of rural First Nations.

https://financialpost.com/opinion/want-richer-first-nations-say-yes-to-pipelines">https://financialpost.com/opinion/want- ... -pipelines">https://financialpost.com/opinion/want-richer-first-nations-say-yes-to-pipelines

[Anonymous]

A lot of people don't want a strong upwardly mobile Aboriginal middle class.

You are damned right they do not.



I work on a lot of reserve land in the winter months when I supervise rigs. Reserves that have invested in oil and gas projects have better infrastructure and people driving around in new 4X4 trucks.

[Anonymous]

Indians need to work, so they are in favour of resource jobs. Progs don't need to work.

[Anonymous]

Another one of progtards whoppers is that Indians oppose oil and gas development.



6 Alberta First Nations invest in natural gas power plant; loan backed by province

https://globalnews.ca/news/7325196/alberta-first-nations-cascade-power-government/?utm_medium=Facebook&utm_source=GlobalEdmonton&fbclid=IwAR05cZn7-cGiG6y4evygScS0LCg1nptKsgQQ-TJWKjlX1exX35N42hK911s">https://globalnews.ca/news/7325196/albe ... 5N42hK911s">https://globalnews.ca/news/7325196/alberta-first-nations-cascade-power-government/?utm_medium=Facebook&utm_source=GlobalEdmonton&fbclid=IwAR05cZn7-cGiG6y4evygScS0LCg1nptKsgQQ-TJWKjlX1exX35N42hK911s

[@realAzhyaAryola]

Some of them do oppose it though.

[Anonymous]

The buyers of TMX will almost certainly be Aboriginals..



Aboriginal bands owned stakes in KXL too..



The proposed Spirit Eagle pipelines would be one hundred per cent Aboriginal owned if they are built.

[Anonymous]

https://scontent.fyxd1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/152439580_487908285949882_2254669892964811365_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=wPyAZO7OhVAAX9bkcHO&_nc_ht=scontent.fyxd1-1.fna&oh=fafbee7fda576670b0230465ba03269c&oe=605CBF1A">

[Anonymous]

It's a fact: a majority of Indigenous people support natural resource development

https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its-a-fact-a-majority-of-indigenous-people-support-natural-resource-development?tdest_id=1271093&fbclid=IwAR3H3qPZDQm1mR-cwIxQRM84aUHrt_cbHxVHqciWYjjjEAyEKp2ipfZzYKA">https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its- ... p2ipfZzYKA">https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its-a-fact-a-majority-of-indigenous-people-support-natural-resource-development?tdest_id=1271093&fbclid=IwAR3H3qPZDQm1mR-cwIxQRM84aUHrt_cbHxVHqciWYjjjEAyEKp2ipfZzYKA





The Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) recently commissioned an Environics poll to assess cross-Canada Indigenous support for natural resource development. What they found defies the common perception in the media: 65% supported development vs only 23% opposed.

[Anonymous]

It's a fact: a majority of Indigenous people support natural resource development

https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its-a-fact-a-majority-of-indigenous-people-support-natural-resource-development?tdest_id=1271093&fbclid=IwAR3H3qPZDQm1mR-cwIxQRM84aUHrt_cbHxVHqciWYjjjEAyEKp2ipfZzYKA">https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its- ... p2ipfZzYKA">https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its-a-fact-a-majority-of-indigenous-people-support-natural-resource-development?tdest_id=1271093&fbclid=IwAR3H3qPZDQm1mR-cwIxQRM84aUHrt_cbHxVHqciWYjjjEAyEKp2ipfZzYKA





The Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) recently commissioned an Environics poll to assess cross-Canada Indigenous support for natural resource development. What they found defies the common perception in the media: 65% supported development vs only 23% opposed.

That's interesting, thank you Herman.

[Anonymous]

It's a fact: a majority of Indigenous people support natural resource development

https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its-a-fact-a-majority-of-indigenous-people-support-natural-resource-development?tdest_id=1271093&fbclid=IwAR3H3qPZDQm1mR-cwIxQRM84aUHrt_cbHxVHqciWYjjjEAyEKp2ipfZzYKA">https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its- ... p2ipfZzYKA">https://energyexaminedpodcasts.com/its-a-fact-a-majority-of-indigenous-people-support-natural-resource-development?tdest_id=1271093&fbclid=IwAR3H3qPZDQm1mR-cwIxQRM84aUHrt_cbHxVHqciWYjjjEAyEKp2ipfZzYKA





The Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) recently commissioned an Environics poll to assess cross-Canada Indigenous support for natural resource development. What they found defies the common perception in the media: 65% supported development vs only 23% opposed.

Racist white libtards use Canadian Aboriginals as props.

[Anonymous]

This will make Indians happy and piss off urban progs. Enbridge Inc.'s Line 3 pipeline replacement project, a critical piece of export infrastructure for Canada's energy sector, will be in service on Friday.

[cc]

A piece of good news