First Nations are resorting to lawsuits to stop the continued decimation of their land, water, air, wildlife and deep ways of life resulting from the development of the tar sands oil fields. The influx of outside residents has created increased crime, drug use and deep societal changes for those who’ve historically called Alberta home.

And just downstream and wind from Alberta is North and South Dakota, where First Nations are also trying to dig in against the further development of Alberta fields both in solidarity with their Dakotah neighbors to the north and because oil coming to the US is cutting right through prairie and farmland. Two huge pipelines are in process of being build in ND/SD, cutting entirely across the states to bring that Canadian oil to US refineries. And how easy that will be if Hyperion, a TX oil firm, manages to build an enormous new oil refinery in Union County, SD. Local citizens have been waging the good fight against this beast, called the Gorilla, but voters recently approved zoning that would allow it to continue.

These are historic changes for the First Nations in Canada and the Dakotas and for the quiet, resourceful farming commmunities of South Dakota and downstream – the Gorilla will tap directly into the Missouri River,using 12 million gallons a day, and claims it can clean and return the water to the River with no environmental injury. Bullhockey, as we say on the prairies.

Native groups sue gov’t over oilsands

First Nations bands say they haven’t been consulted on development; lawsuit could set precedent for future land lease negotiations

Steve Lillebuen, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Thursday, June 05

EDMONTON – The Alberta government is facing an emerging flood of legal actions taken by First Nations groups over the rapid pace of oilsands development.

Having grown tired of decades of government promises to consult with native leaders, two northern Alberta bands have launched lawsuits over oil and gas activity on traditional native land. More lawsuits are looming.

“A vacuum has occurred between First Nations groups and the government,” said Chief Jim Boucher of the Fort MacKay First Nation. “The only recourse for many people is through the courts.”