Tar Sands - Beaver Lake Cree Lawsuit

Synopsis

The Beaver Lake Cree are suing the federal and Alberta governments for damage caused by the tar sands, claiming that their way of life is threatened. Filed in May 2008, the suit identifies 17,000 tar-sands related infringements that are contributing to the destruction of the environment, the loss of traditional areas, and the decline in wildlife populations. As of January 2012, Canada and Alberta are seeking to have the case thrown out.

Category Energy

Type Tar Sands

Prov AB SK

Region Cold Lake

Posted 29Oct09

Updated 09Feb12

Status Active

Belongs to this group:

Alberta Tar Sands

Contacts

LOCAL
COMMUNITY

Beaver Lake Cree Nation (refer to Aboriginal section, below)

GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES

Named in the lawsuit is Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Alberta and the Attorney General of Canada

Attorney General of Canada, Hon. Robert Nicholson, Minister, www.justice.gc.ca, Media: 613-957-4207

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister, www.ainc-inac.gc.ca, InfoPubs(at)ainc-inac.gc.ca, Media: 819-953-1160, 1-800-567-9604

ABORIGINAL
GROUPS

Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Robert Gillis, Executive Director, BLCN Consultation Office, www.beaverlakecreenation.ca, 780-623-9221

BLCN Legal counsel: Drew Mildon, Woodward & Company, drew(at)woodwardandcompany.com, www.woodwardandcompany.com, 250-383-2356

http://www.raventrust.com/beaverlakecree.html

http://www.co-operative.coop/beaverlakecree

PROPONENT

Alberta and Federal Governments (refer to Government Agencies, above)

More information

Location

Beaver Lake Cree Nation press release, May 14, 2008

Statement of Claim, May 14, 2008

Kétuskéno Declaration, May 14, 2008 ("We keep this land in honour of our ancestors and on behalf of our future generations, so that as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows, we can continue our traditional way of life.")

The land referred to in the Declaration and the Statement of Claim is depicted on this map: