Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being called upon to condemn the role of Enbridge Inc. in “violations” against the rights of the Indigenous people and their allies resisting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline Project at Standing Rock.
The call comes from the Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sand Expansion, made up of 85 international First Nations and Tribes, which prohibits the passage of proposed Tar Sands pipelines, trains and tankers.
The alliance was launched on Sept. 22, with the majority of signatories located in Canada, reads a press statement.
Enbridge, headquartered in Calgary, announced on Aug. 2 it would invest $1.5 billion in exchange for a 27.6 per cent share of the Dakota Access pipeline project. The pipeline will transport fracked oil from the Bakken region of North Dakota to Illinois. It would pass under the Missouri River, the source of drinking water for the people of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, as well as millions more.
“It is time for the Prime Minister, who has stated that no relationship is more important to him than the one with Indigenous peoples, to take a stand in support of the rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and allied nations as they resist the Dakota Access pipeline,” said Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
“This historic moment at Standing Rock is a Canadian issue that you must publicly address Mr. Prime Minister: we are talking about a Canadian company committing severe human rights violations and some of its victims are brave water protectors and land defenders from First Nations up North.”
The resistance shown at Standing Rock has seen many clashes between security guards and the water protectors and their allies, including the violent use of attack dogs on the people on Sept. 3.
“There is a battle being waged across the globe by Indigenous people and their allies demanding a safe world for future generations,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. This is about water versus oil: life versus death.
“Right now, the frontlines of the battle for humanity’s survival are located at Standing Rock. It is time to choose Mr. Prime Minister. To be silent is to be complicit: do you stand with Enbridge and the forces trying to ram through the Dakota Access pipeline or do you stand for human rights and the protection of the environment,” Phillip asked.
The Treaty Alliance will be holding an upcoming event in Ottawa on Nov. 15 where they will announce the groups that will be signing the Solidarity Accord in support of the Treaty Alliance. A copy of the Solidarity Accord and other information can be found at www.treatyalliance.org