Alberta Metis eying ownership stake in proposed oil pipeline

Alberta’s Metis Settlements say they are interested in buying a stake in a proposed pipeline to the West Coast and want to work with First Nations in British Columbia who oppose the project and plan to table an emergency resolution at the Assembly of First Nations meetings in Ottawa on Tuesday.

Dave Lamouche, president of the eight Métis settlements in Alberta, said a new pipeline could help Métis communities achieve full sustainability.

“It’s important to try to get some revenue-generating partnerships so we can afford things,” Lamouche said. “What Alberta offers is full partnership and participation.”

But he also says Coastal First Nations have a right to be concerned.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Ottawa and Alberta last Thursday states that any new pipeline must offer the opportunity for Indigenous co-ownership and other forms of economic benefits.

He also says the federal government may adjust the ban on tankers along British Columbia’s northern coast to get Alberta product to Asian markets, which could pit indigenous groups against each other.

Coastal First Nations have repeatedly said they oppose any suggestion to lift the tanker ban.

Because the plan was so controversial, Lamouche He says he wants to meet with the Coastal First Nations to see if there is any way they can work together to help build the pipeline.

“If that doesn’t work, then we will look for alternatives,” he said.

SEE | BC Indigenous leaders point to red flags from past pipeline projects:

British Columbia leaders warn new pipeline proposal repeats past failures and ignores climate costs

As Ottawa and Alberta move forward with a controversial pipeline proposal, some in British Columbia point to challenges and key lessons learned from Canada’s previous pipeline projects. As CBC’s Janella Hamilton reports, Indigenous leaders have vowed to block Alberta’s pipeline plan.

Proposed pipeline a priority as Prime Minister addresses AFN

The proposed pipeline will take center stage at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa this week.

BC First Nations leaders are preparing to table an emergency resolution at AFN meetings to support maintaining the tanker ban just before Premier Mark Carney delivers a speech Tuesday afternoon and takes questions from AFN chiefs, according to BC AFN regional chief Terry Teegee.

Teegee says he’s hearing major concerns about the pipeline proposal from First Nations leaders across the country.

“There’s a lot of mistrust here as a result of this,” Teegee said. “You cannot simply override First Nations rights, title and interests… Consent is required for any project.”

The Alberta Metis Settlements have worked with the Alberta government for decades, including on natural and non-renewable resource co-management agreements.

Lamouche says the MOU provides a great opportunity for Indigenous people and described Alberta’s approach as collaborative.

“Instead of it being a prescriptive approach… they came up with a new approach, which is: build this together,” Lamouche said.

“It’s not just like checking a box and saying ‘We have to do this [consultation].’ “It is creating an atmosphere where indigenous groups can come and associate, if they wish.”

Alberta seeks to partner with other indigenous groups

Lamouche says Alberta’s Metis Settlements are considering accessing loan guarantees through the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, which can help Indigenous communities invest in projects, such as pipelines.

It says money generated by the proposed project could provide much-needed funding for infrastructure, including roads, water and wastewater in Alberta Metis communities.

The settlements, which have about 10,000 citizens in total, have set a goal of generating enough income to run their communities on their own by 2038, Lamouche said.

Alberta’s Minister of Indigenous Relations Rajan Sawhney is working with Lamouche and other Indigenous people.communities about the possible pipeline. His office told CBC News it has been collaborating with the nations of Alberta and British Columbia since the province began work on its pipeline proposal last spring.

“These conversations are laying the groundwork forf strong, meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships,” Sawhney said in a statement to CBC News.

Sawhney’s office told CBC News it could not provide a list of specific meetings the minister is holding with Indigenous groups, but said Lamouche is one of the experts on Indigenous relations, providing culturally informed guidance on the province’s engagement efforts.

“The Alberta government is committed to supporting Indigenous communities through partnerships that provide long-term economic opportunities and prosperity that will benefit future generations,” Sawhney said.

SEE | Reactions to possible new pipeline:

Is Canada’s potential pipeline a “major step backwards” or a “phenomenal opportunity”?

Senior political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with Maureen Nyce, senior councilor-elect of the Haisla Nation, about the impact a potential pipeline could have on that northern British Columbia community and why she says the project is a “huge step backwards.” Also, Robert Phillips from the First Nations Summit on the importance of Indigenous consultation. Finally, Paul Colborne, CEO of Surge Energy, explains why he believes the deal is a “phenomenal opportunity” for Alberta’s oil sands and for Canada.