After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Gitxsan divided on Enbridge Northern Gateway deal

The attention-grabbing agreement between Enbridge and the Gitxsan Treaty Society sparks heated discussions over levels of opposition and support.

Reports about a deal between the Gitxsan Treaty Society and oil giant Enbridge over the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline have spurred heated reactions expressing both opposition and support - even on the Vancouver Observer website.

Before the deal was announced last week, over 130 First Nations pledged their commitment to the Save the Fraser Declaration, which essentially bans oil pipelines and tankers in territories across British Columbia. The year-old declaration already had the support of about 60 signatories, and this year advocates celebrated the addition of 70 new names in support of the ban.

The Gitxsan deal was announced by Hereditary Chief Elmer Derrick, who acts as the chief treaty negotiator for the Gitxsan Treaty Society. But other chiefs and bands within the First Nation have come out in opposition, saying Derrick’s decision is not representative of the rest of the Gitxsan.

In a new report from the CBC, hereditary chief Lawrence Patsey of the Fireweed clan said the two Gitxsan negotiators responsible for the agreement -- and the executive director -- have been fired over the matter.

"As of [Monday], their positions were terminated as per the wishes of the hereditary chiefs. Office operations have been suspended until a review by the hereditary chiefs," Lawrence said in an interview with CBC.

The Vancouver Sun has come under fire for printing front-page news suggesting widespread Gitxsan support for the deal, despite the fact that Derrick and Enbridge both acknowledged it was not unanimous.

In a later Vancouver Sun article, Gitxsan leaders Marjorie McRae and Norman Stephens said the nation was “embarrassed” by news of the $7 million agreement and claimed Derrick had “no authority actually to be making a deal with Enbridge”. According to the article, Stephens said that an estimated 20 to 30 of the 60 or so Gitxsan hereditary chiefs were opposed to the deal, and that some did not even know it was on the table.

First Nations against the pipeline also note that the proposed route does not even cross Gitxsan territory, saying the deal has jeopardized other Aboriginal groups more directly affected by the potential development. Many have pointed out Derrick’s ties to the BC Liberal party and to energy and resource development in the province (this article by Damien Gillis explains Derrick’s background in more detail).

Comments from either side of this disagreement are likely to be predictable and contradictory, but here are a few facts:

  • Derrick does have ties to the BC government and to resource industries in the province, and was previously appointed to the BC Hydro Board of Directors by Gordon Campbell
  • The decision to sign and announce a deal with Enbridge was NOT unanimous
  • Gitxsan Nation’s territory is northeast of Kitimat, near Hazleton
  • The pipeline does not run directly through Gitxsan territory (see map below)
  • Other bands who are more directly affected by the pipeline route are angered by the Gitxsan’s deal
  • A group of six hereditary chiefs and four Gitxsan bands had already been involved in legal action against the Gitxsan Treaty Society, in relation to the Society’s authority to negotiate on their behalf.

Detailed map of proposed pipeline route from Enbridge website.

More in Environment

Pavlof Volcano erupting in Alaska on March 26, 2016.

Flights cancelled in and out of Regina, Yellowknife after volcano in Alaska

VANCOUVER — More flights have been cancelled after a cloud of ash spewed from a volcano on the Alaska Peninsula. WestJet spokeswoman Lauren Stewart said the airline cancelled three flights from...
Canada geese mating ritual

Egg addling program shakes up Canada geese population in Okanagan

VERNON, B.C. — Airborne flocks of Canada geese can be symbols of beauty and freedom, but the mess they leave behind on landing can quickly foul parks and beaches. The Okanagan hosts large numbers of...
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.