The National Energy Board hearings continue in Victoria Tuesday to collect oral Indigenous traditional evidence as part of its new review of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

This is round two of the NEB hearings for the project, initiated after the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the original approval for the expansion, saying the federal government didnB次元官网网址檛 adequately consult with First Nations or consider the impact to the environment of project-related marine shipping.

Monday, salmon was at the forefront, as the panel heard from the St贸:l艒 Tribal Council and Kwantlen First Nation.

National Energy Board collects oral Indigenous traditional evidence as part of new review of pipeline expansion. Afternoon session of the first day in Victoria opens now with song by Kwantlen First Nation. Hearings will continue in until Thurs.

B次元官网网址� Keri Coles (@KeriColesPhotog)

B次元官网网址淪almon is our most sacred thing. It is part of who we are. If we lose our salmon, we lose our people,B次元官网网址� said Chief Marilyn Gabriel, Kwantlen First Nation.

Gabriel explained how the salmon decline has affected her nation. How the community used to barter salmon for other supplies they needed, but with the current stocks and restrictions, they canB次元官网网址檛 rely on the salmon anymore. People canB次元官网网址檛 afford to buy everything they need.

The St贸:l艒 Tribal Council echoed the significance of salmon, and the concerns around the impacts of the pipeline expansion project and increased tanker traffic.

B次元官网网址淚t is hard to explain the significance of salmon. ItB次元官网网址檚 more than a protein, more than an oil. ItB次元官网网址檚 in our DNA. It is a part of our spirit,B次元官网网址� said St贸:l艒 Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil.

B次元官网网址淔ish hold a central place in ceremonial, sustenance, and commercial aspects of St贸:l艒 culture. We rely on a healthy ecosystem. The project has serious risks and implications to the St贸:l艒 way of life,B次元官网网址� said Councillor Andrew Victor of Cheam.

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The two nations differed on whether they thought the project should go ahead.

The St贸:l艒 Tribal Council wanted to be involved with the project if it was approved.

B次元官网网址淚f the project proceeds we want to see it done right, in a way that understands our culture, so mitigation measures can be taken,B次元官网网址� Victor said.

B次元官网网址淲e want to be involved early, to be part of the regulatory process and be involved with safeguarding the environment. We have intimate knowledge of tides, wind, where water travels fast and slow. Who better to monitor than us?B次元官网网址� said McNeil.

The Kwantlen First Nation gave a hard no at the hearings.

B次元官网网址淲e sit here because our elders sent us here to say no. Not on our watch. No way. One drop of oil is too much. We are speaking for our next seven generations. The answer from our nation is no,B次元官网网址� said Gabriel.

B次元官网网址淚n my opinion, we are in a crisis. When I was growing up, there were lots of sockeye. Now it is in dire straits. Two years ago, we had no sockeye. We canB次元官网网址檛 allow any more disasters in this water,B次元官网网址� said Councillor Les Antone, Kwantlen First Nation.

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The hearings, happening over three weeks in three different cities, are a chance for Indigenous groups to present arguments to the panel about how project-related marine shipping may impact their communities, use of traditional territory, or any potential or established treaty or Indigenous rights.

Tuesday the panel hears from the Indigenous Caucus for the Trans Mountain Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee.

The Tsawout First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation and U.S. Tribes B次元官网网址� Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip Tribes, Suquamish Tribe, and Lummi Nation B次元官网网址� will present Wednesday.

The final hearings in Victoria will have the panel hear from Squamish Nation and St贸:l艒 Collective on Thursday.

The board will then head to Nanaimo to hold hearings from Dec. 3 to 6.

Listen live at with transcripts available later at .