Gitxsan discontinues LNG pipeline discussions

The Gitxsan territory has announced that it will not engage in discussions on any pipeline developments on its lands as long as the Crown continues its offers of Gitxsan lands and rights to the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum Indian Bands (Tsimshian).

The Gitxsan traditional territories occupy an area of 33 000 km2 in northwest British Columbia, Canada.

This unanimous decision by the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs, with the support of 53 huwilp, affects all natural gas projects on Gitxsan lax yip including those proposed by Prince Rupert Gas Transmission LTD (PRGT Project), Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Ltd (Spectra Energy) and Pacific Northern Gas Ltd (PNGL).

In a statement released on its website, Gitxsan said:

“The parties, including the Province of BC and the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum Indian bands, with the exception of Canada have signed Agreements in Principle last spring of 2013 where the government offered lands taken from the Gitxsan lax yip. This is a huge trespass on Gitxsan lands by the Crown. These offers make futile any efforts by the BC LNG Team to develop any meaningful financial relationship or reconciliation with the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs. The Crowns refuse to abide by the rulings of BC courts that the Gitxsan have strong prima facie rights and good prima facie title to these lands since contact in 1846.”

Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/24062014/gitxsan_discontinues_lng_pipeline_discussions_834/