
Indigenous Chilliwack chief welcomes historic deal between First Nations and Enbridge for stake in natural gas pipeline
CHILLIWACK — Squiala First Nation Chief David Jimmie is welcoming a historic deal, announced Thursday, that would see an Indigenous alliance of 36 First Nations in B.C. purchase a stake in Enbridge Inc.’s Westcoast pipeline.
According to a news report from the Canadian Press via reporter Lauren Krugel, Enbridge Inc.’s Westcoast pipeline has been pumping natural gas through Indigenous territories across B.C. for over six decades.
Chief Jimmie is president and chair of Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance LP, representing 36 First Nations bands in the province, which reached the deal to buy the stake from Enbridge Inc.
As part of the agreement, 36 of these communities are set to reap long-term financial benefits from the 2,900-kilometre system that stretches from B.C.’s far northeast to the Canada-U. S. border.