Protesters occupying a camp established by a First Nation in northern Alberta to defy drilling operations on its traditional lands have been ordered to vacate.
The camp — a tipi and tents flanked by rows of trucks lining the road 75 kilometres east of Peace River, Alta. — is Woodland Cree First Nation’s latest effort to oppose Obsidian Energy’s expansion plans.
The camp is the latest development in an increasingly tense conflict between Woodland Cree and Obsidian after the operator was blamed for a string of earthquakes in the region.
The First Nation says it is owed meaningful consultation and final authority over what industrial development occurs on its traditional lands. Company officials say it has consulted with the WCFN and the Indigenous community has no such veto rights.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The camp is the latest development in an increasingly tense conflict between Woodland Cree and Obsidian after the operator was blamed for a string of earthquakes in the region.
Obsidian company officials were granted an injunction Monday in the Court of King’s Bench against the Woodland Cree First Nation and people occupying the camp.
Laboucan-Avirom said his members are concerned about the cumulative impacts on their traditional lands and the risk of additional industry-caused earthquakes if Obsidian’s drilling operations intensify.
Obsidian produces around 6,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day, or 20 per cent of its total production, from assets in the Peace River region, some of which are within Woodland Cree territory.
Obsidian recently told shareholders that it plans to increase production by 12 per cent this year and focus most of its drilling program on the Peace River region.
“We have unfortunately reached a negotiating impasse with WCFN’s senior leadership,” Stephen Loukas, Obsidian’s president and chief executive officer said in a statement.
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