Woodland Cree First Nation Served with Injunction at Camp
Susan v.H. Thompson
Peace River, Alberta
Updated May 7, 2024
On Tuesday morning, a bailiff attended the camp set up by the Woodland Cree First Nation (WCFN) to assert their treaty rights. Accompanied by police, the bailiff served a court injunction obtained by Obsidian Energy Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN: OBE) (TSX:OBE ) to Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom and members of council.
In a dramatic moment, Chief Laboucan-Avirom and council members cast the legal paperwork into the camp fire, saying they were filing the papers “with the Great Spirit.”
Chief and council say they are now consulting legal counsel to decide their next steps.
The traditional camp was established by WCFN in the South Harmon Valley oilfield outside Peace River, Alberta on Sunday, May 5 to assert their treaty rights as Obsidian prepares to expand drilling operations in the area by 12 per cent. Obsidian is also appealing an AER ruling that the energy company caused several earthquakes in the area by injecting their wastewater into the ground, and WCFN says they are concerned about the potential for future seismic activity.
Chief Laboucan-Avirom has previously said WCFN members are not leaving the camp until negotiations resume with Obsidian. Other First Nations such as the Lubicon Cree Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation have already joined the camp. Local contractors including Ruel Concrete Ltd. and MDP Oilfield Services Ltd. have also been present and parked equipment at the camp in support.
Camp members have a tipi and traditional meat drying racks set up, and are drying moose meat.
In a written statement from Obsidian’s investor relations, a spokesperson referred to a previous release from February, which says, “we are open to meeting with WCFN senior leadership to further discuss the potential for an agreement.”
“Regardless, Obsidian Energy has the ability to pursue existing regulatory processes to obtain the required permits and licenses to execute on our three-year growth plan. Additionally, we have the flexibility to accelerate other Peace River locations within our extensive portfolio to achieve our growth objectives.”
Regarding the current dispute with WCFN, Obsidian says, “You may wish to note that as per our Environmental, Social and Governance report (excerpt below), less than 1% of our reserves are in or near Indigenous lands. WCFN does not have a veto right, only a requirement for consultation regarding development on traditional lands.”
“Any of our planned development that involves WCFN is on traditional lands, and there is a well-established regulatory process for obtaining licenses and permits on these lands (as we stated in the release). As per our release, we have employed the WCFN for services and consulted with them on a number of matters over the years, including agreeing to meet with them to discuss any environmental, health and safety concerns.”
Treaty 8 Grand Chief Arthur Noskey joined the camp in the afternoon to offer support t Chief Labucan-Avirom and council, raising a Treaty 8 flag alongside the three other First Nations flags already planted at the camp.
Grand Chief Noskey says it’s important to think about the many long term impacts of oil and gas projects.
“I think we need to do some serious consideration as First Nations people. Maybe this is what we need to do all across Treaty 8 to bring the governments to the table to talk seriously,” says Chief Noskey.
“We’re trying to push for the governments, and the oil and gas industry, if you’re the principle cause of the issue, the earthquakes, then you’d better do some backtracking and you’d better do some resolution with all people that are impacted.”
More as this story develops.