Canada: Stop Ignoring the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Halt Site C
The planned Site C dam in northeastern British Columbia is one of the largest resource development projects currently planned anywhere in Canada.
There is no dispute that construction of the dam, and the flooding of an 80 kilometre long stretch of the banks and floor of the Peace River Valley, will have a severe impact on the First Nations and Métis families and communities who depend on this unique ecosystem.
In fact, a joint federal-provincial environmental assessment concluded that the dam would "severely undermine" the cultural practices of First Nations and Métis peoples, would make fishing unsafe for at least a generation, and would submerge burial grounds and other crucial cultural sites.
"We said no to the destruction of that valley. It's the last chunk of valley that we have and it's vitally important," says Chief Roland Willson, West Moberly First Nation.
BC Hydro has already begun construction of the Site C dam, including clear-cutting large areas of the valley floor in preparation for eventual flooding, even though legal challenges by First Nations are still before the courts. The BC First Nations Summit called that decision "a major step backwards" in relations between the province and First Nations.
Please join a growing movement of people across Canada who say that the human rights of Indigenous peoples must not be ignored.
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Clark,
I urge the federal and provincial governments to withdraw all permits related to the construction of the Site C dam and publicly commit to ensuring that the rights of Indigenous peoples will be respected and upheld.
The environmental assessment of the Site C dam concluded that flooding the Peace Valley would "severely undermine" rights of Indigenous peoples -- rights that are protected by Treaty, the Canadian Constitution and international human rights law.
There are directly affected First Nations that remain opposed to the project. And important legal challenges are still before the courts.
I am shocked that construction of the Site C dam has gone ahead while these important concerns remain unresolved.
[Your comments here]
Please don't rush ahead with a project that will violate human rights.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Update #17 years ago
The Federal Government has broken promises made to Indigenous peoples by violating the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and issuing permits for the construction of the Site C dam. Canada must withdraw permits related to the construction of the Site C dam and stop ignoring the rights of Indigenous peoples, so please share now!
