Aboriginal people defend the environment

• Main Author: Philp, Richard B.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: SelectedWorks 2012
• Subjects: First Nations; Bill C-45; waterways protection; Idle No More; Environmental Policy; Public Affairs; Public Policy and Public Administration; Social Welfare; Canada; Harper
• Online Access: https://works.bepress.com/richard_philp/42; https://works.bepress.com/context/richard_philp/article/1052/viewcontent/auto_convert.pdf

Aboriginal peoples in Canada are in the forefront in the battle to protect the environment from unregulated depredations of petroleum and mining interests. Omnibus Bill C-38 exempted oil pipelines from the terms of the Environmental Protection Act, prompting protests from First Nations people through whose reserves it would pass. Omnibus Bill C-45 removes thousands of lakes and rivers from protection of the Navigable Lakes and Waters Protection Act and permits the government sale of native lands without consultation. In response, the Idle No More movement took root and widespread protests have resulted. The persistent lack of consultation between the government and First Nations leaders led to Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike in Ottawa in an unsuccessful effort to get Prime Minister Harper to meet with her and other Chiefs.