CSTC At Copenhagen: Canada’s Dirty Oil Shame

Attention: Assignment Editor, Environment Editor, News Editor, World News Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, PRESS RELEASE -(Dec. 16, 2009) – Leaders and activists from around the world have been meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark since December 7, 2009 to discuss a new climate change agreement. Dubbed COP15, this United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) is being considered one of the most important and historic meetings about climate change because our Earth is now facing imminent threat and we need to do something about it. Indigenous people are the first to feel the impacts of climate change because of their connection to their lands, which is why Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee has travelled to be part of the COP15 with other indigenous leaders.”Our people have seen first hand what climate change is doing to our lands and culture. The mountain pine beetle infestation has adversely affected our forests and wildlife. It’s impacted our food sources, traditional medicines and our way of life.” Teegee continued, “The rights of indigenous people need to be included in the new climate change treaty. We’ve gathered in Denmark to say ‘enough’, we must be heard.”

On Monday a protest was held at the Canadian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark to highlight the fact that Canada’s tar sands production is the leading contributor to carbon emissions nationally. CSTC territories are directly impacted from the tar sands through the pipeline proposal being brought forward by companies like Enbridge. Teegee spoke to a crowd of activists with other First Nations from the Athabasca area as well as Council of Canadian activist Maud Barlow and Naomi Klein, the author of the “Shock Doctrine”. “We’ve told the government and Enbridge that Dakelh people do not want their dirty oil going through our territories. The world knows that Canada is a climate criminal for allowing tar sands development to occur and yet they continue to allow it.”

“There are no more excuses for emitting carbon. We have traditional and technological solutions already. What we need is more political will for a legally binding treaty that will see results and reverse the effects of climate change. Our forests have already been destroyed by the mountain pine beetle.” Teegee noted.

“Our Elders have told us: Yun hughwuts’inli de, neghole’, ‘Take care of the land, and it will take care of you’.” Teegee will be in Copenhagen until the end of COP15 and returns to his community along with other indigenous leaders from the Assembly of First Nations delegation that includes National Chief Shawn Atleo who is a special advisor to Prime Minister Harper. /For further information: E-mail primary means of contact – tteegee[at]cstc.bc.ca; Carrier Sekani Tribal Council at COP 15 – http://www.facebook.com/influencers#/group.php?gid=195046723995/

IN: ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY, INTERNATIONAL

For more information, please contact

Terry Teegee, Vice Tribal Chief, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council
Primary Phone: 250-640-3256
E-mail: tteegee[at]cstc.bc.ca