Happy anniversary: the day Petronas blinked
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Happy anniversary!!
On July 25 last year, Petronas cancelled their $36B Pacific Northwest LNG project, including a massive LNG terminal in the middle of the salmon nursery on Lelu Island.
Faced with court challenges by four Indigenous groups: the Tsimshian tribe of Gitwilgyoots, the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, the Gitxan House of Gwininitxw and House of Luutkudziiwus, as well as Skeena Wild Conservation Society, Petronas withdrew from the project rather than face a potentially adverse court decision.
“We stood up to Petronas in the courtroom and on the land, and increased investor risk and uncertainty to the point where they weren’t able to proceed. Knowing that we are not alone, that we are supported by so many committed people across Canada, made a huge difference." — Chief Yahaan.
Moments like this are the result of years of dedicated campaigning. RAVEN has been along for the long haul, standing with Indigenous Nations along the Skeena River who are protecting wild salmon. It’s so important that we savour the moments when we see the tide turning towards justice.
Hamii ya — with gratitude to all the people who donated, organized cook-outs and concerts, and supported this fight in so many ways!
Now: we must forge ahead because there is still so much to do on so many fronts.
Without protection at the watershed level, the Skeena salmon are still at risk. Because the court case was never completed - it was declared moot after the project was cancelled - important issues remain unresolved. These include the standing of hereditary chiefs before Canadian courts, and the level of consultation owed to First Nations, such as Gitanyow, whose territory is geographically removed from a project site, but who depend on salmon that would be affected.
Beyond the Skeena, First Nations are partnering with RAVEN to fight the Kinder Morgan/TransMountain pipeline, opposing mining projects in Lake Morrison and Teztan Biny/Fish Lake, and preparing a case against the operators of the Nathan E. Stewart which spilled diesel into the Heiltsuk marine breadbasket. RAVEN’s support is crucial to ensure these Nations equitable access to justice.
We’re also gearing up to take our Tar Sands Trial campaign in support of Beaver Lake Cree Nation to eastern Canada this fall, offering folks in the biggest population centres in the country a chance to take strategic action to respect the treaties and stop tar sands expansion.
To win these cases, we need a solid Circle of Allies at our backs. We're so grateful to everyone who has joined the circle and committed to monthly donations. To all our allies, new and long-standing : YOU ROCK!!
If you have not become a monthly donor, would you consider it?
Sometimes, as in the case of Petronas, our work puts a chill on proposed developments so the source of the ‘win’ is harder to quantify. Other times, as in our Pull Together fight to stop the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, it’s dead clear: Indigenous legal challenges, supported by this community, stopped that project cold.
We couldn’t offer Indigenous Nations reliable, long-term support without people like you. Your commitment means that Nations can endure the often years-long process of building powerful court cases and then fighting them all the way up to the Supreme Court.
Thank you for all you do,
Ana Simeon
Campaigns Manager, RAVEN
PS - Know someone who should know RAVEN? Forward this email with a personal note. Our network grows by whispers, so that together we can roar.
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