March  2012  Council  Report  Geraldine  Solonas  

 

March  1st:  Attended  a  Site  C  meeting  hosted  by  BC  Hydro  in  Fort  St.  John  where  BCH  provided  an  update  of  what  they  are  currently  doing  and  to  discuss  their  draft  of  the  Environmental  Impact  Statement  Guidelines.  There  were  many  people  in  attendance,  including  from  other  First  Nations  and  from  communities  situated  just  over  the  BC/Alberta  border  who  are  greatly  concerned  of  how  their  water  may  be  impacted  by  the  creation  of  another  dam.  Site C is in the Environmental and Regulatory Review stage, which includes an independent environmental assessment process which is stage 3 of this proposed project. For more information google “Site C”. Travel expenses are provided by agreement with OGC.

March 2nd: Dropped in on the cultural presentations at the CNC in Mackenzie. Presentations were by McLeod Lake and Kwadacha Bands. People from the local community attending stated that they enjoyed the event and would like to see and attend more of these opportunities.

March 5th: in Council office at NRC.

March 6/7th: Attended an “Aboriginal Environmental Assessment Capacity Building” workshop in Richmond sponsored by Indian & Northern Affairs along with Yazmin Prince. This workshop was to teach the basics of what is involved in an ‘environmental assessment’ and the importance of this process in relation to protecting our lands. Most of the travel expenses were covered by INAC.

March 8th: Met with Council at NRC in morning with all Council present (Yaz via teleconference) . Agenda items: proposed local ski hill; community interviews re WAC Bennett Dam; Band Housing and Rent; Finance committee; BC Hydro interviewing re Site C; and, access to MLIB financial information by Band members, Afternoon in Council office.

March 12th/13th: Prepared Quarterly report for newsletter for upcoming meetings on March 23rd, 24th and 25th. Travelled to Fort St. John in afternoon for meetings in next two days.

March 14th: Met with Oil & Gas Commission (OGC) reps in Fort St. John along with Alec C., Jenine S., Fred I. Jr., and Chief Orr and legal counsel on teleconference. Agenda items were: Capacity funding for Negotiations; MLIB role in oil & gas development; and, Agreement funding formula. MLIB to receive $50,000 for negotiation of new agreement, which they wish completed by June, 2012.MLIB has great concerns with cumulative effects of all oil/gas development; treaty rights must be protected; meaningful consultation is a must; MLIB has higher rate of activity in their traditional territory than other areas, yet OGC prefers to equalize payment structure to all First Nations of the area; caribou a huge issue of the north; lack of moose in area due to development; MLIB needs to be involved with setting policy regarding their traditional territory; an Economic Benefits Agreement needs to be discussed; and, the draft funding formula presented by OGC. MLIB was insulted by the proposed funding formula and will provide a written response to OGC before April 12th; our next scheduled meeting in ML. Travel expenses is provided by agreement with OGC.

March 15th: Attended an informational workshop hosted by OGC in Fort St. John on Water management; Fracking; and, Emergency Response with OGC. Approximately 40 participants at this workshop, including

eight First Nations plus the Treaty 8 Tribal Association. There is a great concern by many First Nations of northeastern BC about the use of water, which is considered sacred, in relation to drilling for gas; how drilling for oil and gas affects all water sources (which OGC denies). Current Water Act is over 100 years old and BC is only now looking to enact new laws next year. Elders say when the water is not good, we get sick! We are not leaving clean water for our children! There is an industrial thirst for water with little or no stewardship by the governments; and, environment takes second place to industrial development. There was a power point presentation on “Fracturing” by Mayka Kennedy, and engineer with OGC. She did a good job of explaining the process of what is called ‘fracking’, but that still poses issues of how much water is used for this process and how the sludge is stored!!! I suggest you google ‘fracking in BC’ for more information on this issue. Travel expenses provided by agreement with OGC.

March 16th: Attended the Yinka Dene Council meeting at the CNC Prince George along with Michelle Gunter of CNC Mackenzie for an update which included: the current erosion of funding; reports from communities and CNC groups; Human Rights Special program; Aboriginal Liaison meetings; Community Based programs; AVED funding; Language in the communities; review of policies and practices; board representation; indigenization; and, invitation to be at CNC Prince George on June 8th at 11 a.m. for renos to Atrium. Travel expenses paid by CNC Prince George.

March 19th: Attended a special C&C meeting at the NRC. One Councillor absent. On agenda were Band Council Resolutions for Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency funding of $5,000; Per Capita distribution for 2012/13; and, Trust PP&D Account required BCR corresponding with Per Capita BCR.

March 20th: in Council office at NRC.

March 21st: Attended the Finance committee meeting in the morning regarding the proposed budget for 2012/13 as recommended by management staff. Questions arose and another meeting to be set as soon as possible and before the end of the month.

March 22nd/23rd: Attended, with all Council present, the continuation of our Strategic Planning session we started in November of last year. Reviewed and revised the Band’s statements on; Vision; Mission; Values; and, Motto which will be brought to the members for approval. PG Quarterly meeting in evening.

March 24th: Attended the Vancouver Quarterly meeting in afternoon at Chateau Granville.

March 25th: Attended the ML Quarterly meeting in afternoon at the Band hall.

March 27th: Attended a Finance committee meeting at the NRC to finalize the 2012/13 budget. Discussions included Youth vehicle; Council travel; Boat launch; Culture camp; and, next meeting. Rest of day in Council office at NRC,

March 29th: Attended a Trans Canada Pipeline meeting with Chief and Councillors Jenine S. and Fred I. Jr. at the NRC to discuss their proposed Aitken Creek Project, which is a sweet gas pipeline from north of Chetwynd to the Fort Nelson area to transport gas to Alberta. They propose to put in a 42” underground 227 klm pipeline to connect to existing Saturn line. Trans Canada reps will be doing a presentation at the Career Fair in ML on April 16th. For more information google “Trans Canada Aitken Project”. This was followed by a special Council meeting. Two Council members absent. Agenda items: Per Capita BCR amendment; 2012/13 MLIB budget; Site C; Enbridge; MLIB Financials; and Agreements committee.