Mi’kmaw Ownership Claims in Gas Plant Project Under Scrutiny

The claim of Mi’kmaw ownership in a proposed natural gas plant in Tantramar is being challenged as misleading, following statements from the U.S. company ProEnergy and local government officials. Despite assertions that Indigenous groups would have a financial stake in the project, the Mi’kmaq communities have yet to make any investment and may not do so in the future.

In a public meeting held in July 2023, Landon Tessner, vice-president of ProEnergy, stated that the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council is a minority equity holder in the project. This claim was echoed by Susan Holt, Premier of New Brunswick. However, documents submitted for the project’s environmental impact assessment suggest that the involvement of the tribal council as a partner is still uncertain, pending the outcome of a review led by the Mi’kmaq.

The Mi’gmaq Chiefs have not yet reached a decision regarding investments in the gas plant, according to a statement from Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc., the organization representing nine Mi’kmaw First Nations in New Brunswick. The proposed site of the gas plant is located in an area deemed to hold significant cultural and ecological importance to the Mi’kmaq Nation. While acknowledging the potential benefits to the provincial power grid and renewable energy generation, the organization insists that a rights impact assessment must be conducted first.

“If concerns about impacts are not meaningfully addressed, then the project does not get Mi’gmaq consent,” stated Raven Boyer, communications co-ordinator for Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. The option for Mi’kmaw ownership extends to up to one-third of the project, but the council’s consent is critical for any investment decision.

The assertion of Indigenous partnership has been a key point of promotion for the gas plant, which has faced opposition from various groups. Notably, the Elsipogtog First Nation has expressed “unequivocal opposition” to the project, warning that it could provoke widespread Indigenous resistance. A statement from the First Nation made it clear: “If this project continues to move forward, know that it will be met with legal and direct action.”

Despite the controversies surrounding ownership and investment, some local leaders, such as Chief Terry Richardson of the Pabineau First Nation, support the gas plant proposal. Richardson emphasized a misunderstanding regarding negotiations, asserting that proper communication channels should be established to ensure all parties are informed and engaged.

The complexity of the situation was highlighted when emails revealed that the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council’s environmental organization conducted a preliminary review of ProEnergy’s plans. However, Jackson, the CEO of Nikutik LP, clarified that the council and its bodies are not consultative entities, indicating a gap in expectations regarding their role in negotiations.

As the project progresses, conflicting statements regarding Mi’kmaw ownership remain a point of contention. The lack of clarity has raised concerns about the consultation process. “This is a growing pain in how we go through that consultation process that should not jeopardize the project,” Richardson remarked, calling for more structured communication.

Ultimately, the future of the gas plant and Mi’kmaw involvement hinges on both the outcomes of ongoing reviews and the ability of local leaders to navigate the complexities of consultation and consent. As discussions continue, the stakes for all parties involved remain high, with potential implications for energy generation and Indigenous rights in New Brunswick.