Piikani people rise up against Northback's influence over their band council
Protests force Piikani Council to promise referendum on whether to continue providing First Nation political cover for the Australian coal grubber.
Adam North Peigan leads Piikani fight against Northback influence over band council
Piikani Nation protestors have forced their band council to drop its unconditional support for Northback, the Australian mining speculator trying to rip open the abandoned Grassy Mountain coal mine. It will instead hold its own referendum of band members to determine whether to continue providing Northback its indigenous people political cover.
In a separate objection, Piikani members argued at the recent Alberta Energy Board hearing in Pincher Creek that the band council does not have the support of the community in its secretive dealings with Northback. The company’s CEO Mike Young has boasted of his ability to win over Australian aboriginals in his previous (failed) mining and energy ventures. In fact, he says it is one of his key strengths.
Here’s what Young said in 2022 upon leaving his most recent job failure: “After eight months of being involved with the Bristol Springs Solar Project it has become apparent that the skills I bring to the table, regarding native title, tenure and project approvals are not needed for this project, given its advanced stage of development.” (Australian news site oactive, July 25, 2022)
Here is the Piikani Council statement in full:
We understand our members feel strongly about the Northback issue, some for, some against. This complex decision encompasses our duty to the land while balancing the prosperity of generations to come. As our people before us, our only way forward is together.
Piikani Nation leadership respects the democratic rights to peaceful protest; we hear you and share your concern. To those of you who attended the protests yesterday we applaud your courage in such challenging economic conditions. We also understand that in opposition, we need a means to lift our people out of poverty.
The decision is one we must all make together. We will bring the question about what direction the Nation ought to take based on a vote by the people. Details on voting procedures will be made available in the coming weeks.