Union of BC Indian Chiefs: Kinder Morgan has 'blatant disregard toward First Nations sovereignty'

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs wants the provincial government to remain steadfast in its opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion by denying any of the company’s requests to restart construction.

The request comes after Kinder Morgan stated in a letter to the Neskonlith Indian Band, located near Chase, that it would be seeking provincial authorizations related to a number of “activities” within the traditional territory of the band.

Kinder Morgan is in the process of selling the pipeline to the federal government for $4.5 billion.

In a recent letter to the band, company president Ian Anderson said the two sides have been working to close the transaction later this year.

“The Government of Canada is not acquiring the Trans Mountain pipeline assets directly. Rather, Canada is acquiring ownership of the Trans Mountain legal entities that own and operate the pipeline,” Anderson’s letter stated.

As a result of a change in control over these entities, the company is required to request B.C.’s consent, which the company is working towards, Anderson explained in the letter.

In an open letter to the province, the UBCIC took issue with Anderson’s notice for not requesting consent from the band, pointing out the Neskonlith band has repeatedly made its opposition to the pipeline clear, characterizing the project as “a dangerous pipeline through collectively held Secwépemcul’ecw territory.”

According to the UBCIC, no questions were asked of the band in Anderson’s letter, but rather the band is told what the company is going to do.

“This indicates that Kinder Morgan has been and will continue to perform only the bare minimum of their legal obligations, with blatant disregard toward the laws, protocols and sovereignty of First Nations,” stated UBCIC’s letter to the province, which was issued on Aug. 9.

On Aug. 16, the National Energy Board announced that Trans Mountain has met all applicable pre-construction condition requirements for segments one to four from the Edmonton terminal to its Darfield pump station north of Kamloops.

[Top photo: Pipe for Kinder Morgan's planned Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is piled high on Mission Flats Road in Kamloops. Photograph By DAVE EAGLES]