Facing an onslaught of publicity over aboriginal opposition to its proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway oil pipeline, Enbridge is making the case that it does have support from some First Nations.
However, the Calgary-based company says it can't name those First Nations as they are still in the midst of consultations and negotiations with those communities.
And ultimately, it will be up to the First Nations to disclose their interest in the project, said Enbridge.
"There is this view that there is no aboriginal support or interest in the project. I can tell you that's not the case. We've had quite a bit of interest," Enbridge spokesman Paul Stanway told The Citizen Thursday.
"We wouldn't say it, if it wasn't true," stressed Stanway, who was in Prince George with Andrew Popko, vice-president of aboriginal and community benefits, and Ray Doer, engineering manager, for the Northern Gateway project.
The Enbridge officials said the company has signed a number of memorandum of understandings with First Nations, saying the first two were signed in British Columbia. Still, the company officials would not name any of the First Nations which have signed the understandings, or reveal the total number signed.
The agreements signal that a First Nation is open for discussion and interested in work opportunities.
Enbridge says those opportunities are significant, including an opportunity to take a 10 per cent ownership stake in the project.
Company officials have been discussing the equity offer with First Nations, although some groups west of Prince George have already rejected the offer.
Enbridge has identified 50 First Nations along the 1,170-kilometre route with territorial interests.
Popko said they realize they are not going to get all 50 First Nations onside, but he characterized the interest as significant.
As an example of that interest, he cited the wish of two aboriginal groups to have the pipeline moved onto their reserves.
"This is an exciting project - a game changer. This is what First Nations have been asking for," he said, referring to the ownership offer.
Enbridge says the 10 per cent ownership stake offer is expected to generate $280 million in profit during the next 30 years. Enbridge is also providing the financing, and has set up the offer so that First Nations would receive payments immediately when the pipeline begins operating.
Popko, an honourary chief with the Heart Lake Band in Alberta, called the ownership offer unique and the best he's seen in decades of work in the oil and gas sector with aboriginal communities. "I know First Nations ready to sign up," he said.
First Nations in north-central B.C. have been ramping up their protest of the pipeline. The Yinka Dene Alliance, representing five First Nations west of Prince George, staged a protest in downtown Calgary at Enbridge's annual general meeting earlier this month.
The alliance has said they are not interested in the project at any price because of the risk of oil spills on the pipeline or from tanker traffic on the coast.
A review by The Citizen two months ago showed there was little appetite in north-central B.C. for Enbridge's ownership offer in the pipeline.
A vast majority of 22 First Nations west of Prince George are opposed to the idea, largely because of environmental concerns, the review found.
