B.C. First Nations plan large demonstration to stop Kinder Morgan pipeline

B.C.First Nations groupsare hoping to throw another wrench inKinder Morgan'sTrans Mountain pipeline by amassing Indigenous people and their supporters on BurnabyMountain to further delaythe project.

• B.C. creates more uncertainty for Trans Mountain with bitumen restriction

Members of theTsleil-WaututhFirst Nation are calling for a mass demonstration on Burnaby Mountain inMarch. They expect hundreds of Indigenous people and their supporters to join from across Canada.

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep this beautiful British Columbia," saidCedar George,a member of theTsleil-WaututhFirst Nation. His community directly facesBurnaby, one of the cities thatTrans Mountain's pipelineexpansion will go through.

He says a spill could negativelyimpacthis people'straditional diet and way of life and while the provincial government has already delayed the project, hewants to be sure it doesn't go ahead at all.

In a statement, Trans Mountain told the CBC: "We support the right to peacefully and lawfully express opinions and views about our Project, and we understand that not everyone supports the expansion."

It added "we're confident we can build and operate this Project in a way that respects the values and priorities of Canadians and in respect of the environment."

For George though, it's not a matter of if a spill happens, but when.

"Ninetyper cent of our diet came from that water.We are being stewards of the land and when we see an immediate threat to the water, it's time for us to stand up and delay this project,"George said.

'Indication of last resort'

George says he was asked by spiritual leaders and elders in his community to do something to stop the pipeline and says they've been doing ceremonies for two years since the pipeline was approved.

On Tuesday, members of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nationlaunchedavolunteer recruitment drive viaa network of Indigenous communities, environmental groups and concerned Canadians.

One of the groups supporting the action is the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. Bob Chamberlinis the chief councillorfor the Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation andvice president of the UBCIC.

He says demonstrations like this are a last resort for First Nations people.

"It's at a point of exasperation of engaging indue diligence withgovernment.We are constantly pointing to the government's lack of embracing its very own laws,"Chamberlin said.

He says governments need touphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and adhere to the notions of Indigenousrights to free, prior and informed consent.

• B.C. grand chief responds to Alberta premier on Trans Mountain, warning it 'will never see the light of day'

The federal government approved the 1,147-kilometre pipeline project in November 2016. The detailed route approval process willdetermine the exact placement of the new pipeline.

The project is currently on hold until the route is approved.TheB.C. government, meanwhile, has proposedto restrict any increase in diluted bitumen shipments until it conducts more spill response studies. The Alberta government has called for an immediate boycott of B.C. winein retaliation.