Federal officials, First Nations meeting to talk pipelines, energy concerns

OTTAWA – First Nations leaders and representatives of the federal government are meeting today in Vancouver to discuss aboriginal concerns over the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline and other energy projects in Western Canada.

The meeting was arranged earlier this month to give top bureaucrats from seven federal departments an opportunity to hear First Nations’ views on energy and infrastructure projects.

Aboriginal representatives include Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit and Jody Wilson-Raybould of the Assembly of First Nations.

The meeting comes after the Conservative government’s point man on First Nations and energy issues in Western Canada reportedly told Prime Minister Stephen Harper that aboriginal negotiations were not going well.

Vancouver lawyer Doug Eyford has been travelling to First Nations communities across Western Canada and will deliver a final report on his findings by the end of November.

The invitation to today’s meeting says it is not meant to replace the federal government’s legal obligation to consult Aboriginal Peoples about actions that may impact their treaty rights.