Hello from the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee. My name is Kristine Pearson, representing the Western Approach, coming from Pacheedaht First Nation.
I was selected to sit on the Indigenous Caucus as the Interim Member for the Western Approach, at a Regional Meeting held in Sooke in June 2017. Some of you were there to represent your communities along the shipping lanes associated with the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX).
There are 11 Indigenous members, as well as six senior representatives from federal departments and the National Energy Board, on the IAMC.
IAMC is not a pro-pipeline committee. Indigenous members’ participation is “without prejudice,” meaning it doesn’t indicate support or opposition to TMX. We sit with the federal regulators for information sharing, discussion and recommendations.
Our immediate goal is to make the TMX project as safe as possible and to lessen the impacts on environmental and Indigenous interests.
I also work on IAMC’s Marine Shipping Subcommittee. We’re currently focused on all the policies and information regarding the marine aspect of TMX, such as the Oceans Protection Plan.
Feel free to share this report with your communities, and please reach out to me on any questions or concerns. Look forward to meeting with you all.
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“Western Approach” Nations at IAMC.
The IAMC Terms of Reference lists a total of 129 Indigenous communities, from Alberta to Vancouver Island, that are potentially-impacted by TMX. The Western Approach nations are:
Ditidaht; Huu-ay-aht; Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’; Pacheedaht; Toquaht; Uchucklesaht; and Ucluelet.
