Indigenous groups divided over mine

CALGARY Indigenous leaders in Alberta say they are “frustrated” and “insulted” after First Nations protesters in British Columbia asked the federal government to reject Teck Resources Ltd.’s $20.6-billion Frontier oilsands project.

Protesters gathered at Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson’s office in North Vancouver on Monday to demand the massive mining project, planned for an area north of Fort Mcmurray, be rejected.

Wilkinson has the authority to approve the project, which was recommended for approval last summer.

“We’re here to stand in opposition to the Teck Frontier massive development in the tarsands,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs at the protest outside of Wilkinson’s office.

Vancouver-based Teck Resources is expecting a decision from federal cabinet on the new oilsands mine next month. Ahead of that deadline, however, pressure is building in Alberta and B.C. to either approve or reject the project.

“The Teck mine will affect our community even though it is hundreds of miles away from our community,” said Kanahus Manuel with the Tiny House Warriors, which also opposes the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Teck, which did not respond to a request for comment, has previously announced that it has signed benefits agreements with “all 14 Indigenous communities in the broader Frontier project area.”

Frontier is an oilsands mining project planned in a region north of Fort Mcmurray that would eventually produce 260,000 barrels of oil per day — an undertaking that would take 7,000 people to build and 2,500 people to operate. Indigenous communities directly affected by the project have been vocal in their support of the development.

“People underestimate this region and think that our Indigenous communities in this region are just here to cash a cheque. That’s just not the case,” said Ron Quintal, president of the Fort Mckay Métis Nation, which has signed an agreement with Teck.

Quintal said it was “frustrating” that groups outside the region are calling on the project to be rejected after his community and others in northern Alberta had contracted independent researchers from across Canada during the consultations process.