UBCIC Supports Lower Similkameen Indian Band’s Opposition to Proposed Power Plant
March 16, 2007
Honourable Richard Neufeld, Minister
Ministry Of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
FAX (250) 356-2965
Dear Minister Neufield:
Please find enclosed a copy of UBCIC Resolution 2007-05 entitled Impacts of Climate Change, a duly passed resolution which was unanimously endorsed at the UBCIC Chiefs Council of January 30, 2007.
The UBCIC Executive conveys its complete support of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band to protect their Aboriginal Title. Furthermore, we completely support the Lower Similkameen Indian Band’s opposition of the coal and wood burning power plant proposed within the territory of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.
The community and the member communities of the UBCIC all share their deep concerns of the immediate and cumulative environmental impact of such proposals. As such, the UBCIC will work with the Assembly of First Nations on the vital issue of climate change.
Sincerely,
Chief Stewart Phillip
President
Chief Robert Shintah
Vice-President
Chief Mike Retasket
Secretary-Treasurer
CC:
Chief Joe Dennis, Lower Similkameen Indian Band – FAX (250) 499-5538
Assembly of First Nations – National Chief Phil Fontaine – FAX (613) 241-5808
BC Assembly of First Nations – Regional Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo – FAX (604) 922-7433
Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier – FAX: (250) 387-0087
Ministry Of Environment – Honourable Barry Penner, Minister – FAX (250) 387-1356
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – Honourable Michael De Jong, Minister – FAX (250) 953-4856
Compliance Energy – John Tapics, President & C.E.O. – FAX (604) 681-5910===================================
UNION OF B.C. INDIAN CHIEFS
CHIEFS COUNCIL
VANCOUVER, B.C.
Resolution no. 2007-05
RE: Impacts of Climate Change
WHEREAS the UBCIC is a political organization for Indigenous peoples in British Columbia founded in 1969, dedicated to promoting and supporting the efforts of Indigenous people to affirm and defend Aboriginal Title and Rights;
WHEREAS BC Hydro has approved a site south of the City of Princeton for development of a coal-burning power plant;
WHEREAS the proposed coal-burning power plant doesn’t use the latest technology, which drastically reduces the levels of greenhouse gas emissions, but proposed to use older technology which will produce more pollutants such as carbon dioxide and mercury;
WHEREAS the proposed coal-burning power plant is within the territory of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band;
WHEREAS the Lower Similkameen Indian Band totally opposes the proposed development;
WHEREAS the environmental impact of such developments adds to climate change which in turn directly affects all First Nations’ traditional territories here in BC and throughout Canada.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs fully supports the Lower Similkameen Indian Band in their opposition to the proposed coal-burning power plant; and,
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chiefs Council direct the Union of BC Indian Chiefs to work with the BC Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Summit to prioritize this issue as a political agenda item of the BC First Nation Leadership Council; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs commits to helping the Lower Similkameen Indian Band oppose the development through raising public awareness of this issue
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Chiefs Council direct the Union of BC Indian Chiefs to work with the Assembly of First Nations to develop an advocacy plan that includes accessing resources for First Nations to assess and document the impacts of climate change in their territories;
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Chiefs Council direct the Union of BC Indian Chiefs to work with the Assembly of First Nations to advocate for the development of programs specific to First Nation communities to assist in their adaptation to the likely and/or potential impacts of climate change; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Chiefs Council direct the Union of BC Indian Chiefs to work with the Assembly of First Nations to prepare a submission for Parliament on the Clean Air Act that recommends tighter timeframes and stricter targets with respect to the emission of Green House Gases; and
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the Chiefs Council direct the Union of BC Indian Chiefs to work with the Assembly of First Nations to take any other action it deems appropriate to deal with climate change at the national and international levels.
Moved: Chief Joe Dennis, Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Seconded: Chief Arthur Dick, Lower Nicola Indian Band
Disposition: Carried
Date: January 30, 2007
This article comes from NationTalk:
https://nationtalk.ca
The permalink for this story is:
https://nationtalk.ca/story/ubcic-supports-lower-similkameen-indian-bands-opposition-to-proposed-power-plant
Comments are closed.