Standoff

Details: Published on Thursday, 10 January 2019 08:02; Written by editor

Standoff r1 ...

View archive version

Violent clashes are never the story's beginning.

They usually appear a long way in, after their narrative foundations have been laid. Because, you know, they happen for a reason.

It's that reason many Canadians are grasping for in the wake of this week's forceful standoff between the RCMP and opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline destined to cross the unceded territory of the Wet'suwet'en peoples.

Both Canada and British Columbia have vowed to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The pipeline was approved by the province and the Premier guaranteed First Nations had been adequately consulted.

So in the aftermath of a violent showdown, it's the obvious question: how the hell did we get here?

To unravel that question we have to turn back. Back to the foundations laid in the yearslong lead up to this news-worthy moment. To well before the story was the story.

"If anybody thought reconciliation was going to be an easy process, this is a wake up call," Indigenous legal scholar Val Napoleon told The Narwhal. "Dealing with this problem, this dispute — that's the hard work of reconciliation."

While much of the media has focused on the court-sanctioned injunction that spurred the RCMP to storm an Indigenous-held check point, Napoleon says what happened this week has far deeper roots in Canada's struggle to recognize Indigenous law.

"Where people don't believe they matter to justice, where people don't believe justice is possible, society starts to fragment."

Stay tuned this coming week for our in-depth coverage of this important story. And in the meantime, check out our contextual reporting on how one man's legal challenge could overturn the original approval of the Coastal GasLink pipeline or our reporting on B.C.'s sweetheart deal for LNG Canada, a major export terminal the pipeline will supply.

Also, we started 2019 off with a bang: a doozey of an investigation by Sharon J. Riley that found many oil and gas companies aren't paying their rent to farmers and landowners across Alberta — and so taxpayers are footing the bill.

We bring you this, and so much more this week. Read on!

Carol Linnitt
Managing editor, The Narwhal

Alberta taxpayers footing bill for delinquent oil and gas companies, investigation reveals

By Sharon J. Riley

The Alberta government recoups less than 2 per cent of the taxpayer dollars it pays to landowners on behalf of companies that, for one reason or another, can't foot their own bill. Read more.

Reader spotlight
Our team really, really, really appreciates the love and support we receive from our readers.

This wee note of congratulations put a spring in our collective step.

Thanks, Harry From all of us at The Narwhal

United Nations instructs Canada to suspend Site C dam construction over Indigenous rights violations

By Sarah Cox

The world's foremost racial discrimination committee says Canada must work with Indigenous communities to find an alternative to the $10.7 billion hydro project in B.C. Read more.

Canada won't perform an environmental review of most new oilsands projects. Here's why.

By James Wilt
In terms of development and greenhouse gas emissions, in-situ (meaning in ground) projects represent the future growth of the oilsands. And yet, they are being exempted from the federal government's new and improved environmental assessment rules. And not for the reason you think. Read more. O ur latest documentary has gained nearly 120,000 views!

Don't miss it:
Coal Valley: B.C.'s quiet water contamination crisis

Our journalism is free. It's free of influence. It's free from ads. It's free from corporate investors. It's free to anyone and everyone.
All day. All night, baby.

Newspapers and publications across the globe are increasingly forced to put their reporting behind a paywall. And they often rely on advertising revenues to pay the bills. If you support our work and want to help us keep it ad and influence free become a member. Or make a one-time donation to The Narwhal What we're reading this week

Check us out on the G ram

Demonstrate your powers by sharing this newsletter signup link with your unsuspecting friends. Copyright © 2018 The Narwhal, All rights reserved.
You are on this list because you signed up to receive The Narwhal (formerly DeSmog Canada) newsletter.

Our mailing address is:
The Narwhal
Suite 634
185 - 911 Yates St.
Victoria , B C V8V 4Y9
Canada

Add us to your address book

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or r34.

This email was sent to s6
why did I get this? r34 r35
The Narwhal · Suite 634 · 185 - 911 Yates St. · Victoria, BC V8V 4Y9 · Canada

r1