Lax Kw'alaams Government clarifies community stand on Eagle Spirit Energy proposal

While Eagle Spirit Energy is moving forward with its proposal to develop an oil shipment terminal at Grassy Point, the Government in place at Lax Kw'alaams is offering up a reminder that at the moment they are not quite on board with the project at this time.

Yesterday, we outlined  the latest of media releases from Eagle Spirit Energy, which highlighted a recent gathering in Vancouver where a number of First Nations representatives offered their support to the proposed development that would bring refined Alberta oil to coastal waters at Grassy Point.

As part of that gathering, Eagle Spirit offered up some of the representatives from Lax Kw'alaams who provided their thoughts and support for the project.

However, they it would seem, do not speak officially for the community, as Mayor Gary Reece outlined for CBC's Daybreak North today, those in attendance at the Vancouver event would appear to represent some support, but in the words of Mayor Reece, "but that's a handful of them"

He noted that before Eagle Spirit can get to the point of working on its development plan they will

require the "approval of the entire community, not just a few representatives" ... "Until we hear from our people to see if they're going to support oil, no matter what kind of oil it is, it has to come from our people."

And on that theme, Mayor Reece outlined that Lax Kw'alaams will start its own research into the pipeline proposal, only then the Mayor noted, can the Lax Kw'alaams government educate their people on what it might mean for the community.

The audio from CBC's Daybreak North on the topic can be reviewed here.

You can review the full article from the CBC here.

Today's comments for the CBC mark the first real indication in recent months from Lax Kw'alaams as to what the official position on the Eagle Spirit plans might be.

The Mayor's observations would seem to suggest that the proponents of the oil terminal project may have a fair amount of work ahead should they wish to convince residents of its merits.

As of today, no official statement on the prospect of the oil terminal project, or information related to any study by the Lax Kw'alaams Band has been provided to the Band website or Facebook page.

More background on the Eagle Spirit proposal can be found from our archive page here.