Katzie First Nation has ordered the Trans Mountain Corporation to immediately stop all work on its territory.

The First Nation claims the oil pipeline corporation is undertaking work in two of KatzieB次元官网网址檚 unceded village sites, B次元官网网址� one in Langley and one in Maple Ridge B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渨ithout adequate notice, consultation, or opportunity to monitor works in accordance with project conditions.B次元官网网址�

And, this, they say, has put their lands, resources, and cultural sites at B次元官网网址済rave riskB次元官网网址�.

Katzie First Nation Chief Grace George said that information flows from the company to the Katzie have been B次元官网网址渨oefully inadequateB次元官网网址� despite an understanding that they act in a forthright and open manner respecting the rights and title of the Indigenous Nation.

In a letter to federal and provincial regulators, and copied to the Trans Mountain Corporation, TMC, Katzie list three reasons for their immediate request.

They say work has started at Yorkson Creek, on the south side of the Fraser River, without adequate notification and consultation with Katzie; Katzie only received notice on Jan. 26 that the corporation leased land in Port Hammond, the former Hammond Mill site, which is intended for use as a laydown yard to support construction activities scheduled to begin sometime this month giving Katzie no time to discuss how the activities will affect their connection to the site; and barriers faced by Katzie that they say contravene Indigenous protocols and laws to, B次元官网网址減articipating in TMCB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous Monitoring Program despite multiple attempts by Katzie to resolve them.B次元官网网址�

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Katzie have also called on federal and provincial regulators to properly consult with them and enforce project conditions respective of their rights and title. They have accused both levels of government of a lack of support in dealing with their concerns.

B次元官网网址淜atzie has had to make considerable efforts over and above what should be necessary to obtain information about project activities that may affect Katzie rights and title,B次元官网网址� explained Chief George.

Yorkson Creek, she said, is a permanent village site that was never ceded or surrendered by Katzie, and they were forced off the Port Hammond site by the Crown, which Chief George asserts, was then sold to settlers.

B次元官网网址淲hile we have opposed the TMC pipeline from the very beginning - and continue to oppose it B次元官网网址� we were assured that the conditions placed on the project by federal and provincial regulators would help us protect our sacred Traditional Land Use sites and cultural values,B次元官网网址� said Chief Grace George with the Katzie First Nation. B次元官网网址淗owever, these conditions have instead demonstrably failed us and are threatening all that is important to our Nation,B次元官网网址� she added.

When contacted by Black Press, Trans Mountain would only say that they are aware of Katzie First NationB次元官网网址檚 concerns.

B次元官网网址淭rans Mountain has engaged extensively with all Indigenous communities along our Expansion Project corridor. We continue to engage directly with the Katzie First Nation for activities in their territory, including opportunities to participate in monitoring programs. Trans Mountain is not aware of any outstanding compliance issues,B次元官网网址� asking that the statement be attributed to B次元官网网址淭rans Mountain spokespersonB次元官网网址�.

Katzie want work to stop until certain conditions are met.

They are demanding to have B次元官网网址渞easonableB次元官网网址� opportunity to review the details to all of he work proposed in their territory. They want to provide feedback and see the feedback incorporated into revised plans. Katzie also want regulators to commit to action to make the oil pipeline corporation compliant with their requests. Katzie monitors want to be present at all work being conducted at each site.

In addition, Katzie are demanding that Trans Mountain do not do any work on a section of the former Hammond Mill site that they say is a sacred burial ground where they have begun talks with the province about an appropriate remediation plan for the area and want their Aboriginal title recognized.

They say that any proposed TMC use of that land is inappropriate and incompatible with their unceded title and contamination remediation efforts.

Chief George noted that if the project continues without Katzie participation and engagement, they will explore all other ways to protect their traditional land use sites and their cultural values.

B次元官网网址淲e expect that our request, and the documented events that led to it, will be reviewed carefully, seriously and in an expedited and collaborative manner with us,B次元官网网址� noted Chief George. B次元官网网址淲e expect that we will receive a response in a timely manner.B次元官网网址�