First Nations Plead Restraint In U.S.

First Nations Plead Restraint In U.S.

Friday, May 27, 2011 at 21:55

A vice-chief with the Assembly of First Nations says he worries a proposed oil-pipeline through Alberta and Saskatchewan will have a negative impact on some First Nations.

Bill Erasmus says the Keystone Pipeline, if approved, will send nine hundred thousand barrels of oil to the U.S. each day.

Right now he and chiefs from the Mikisew Cree First Nation are voicing their concerns to U.S. lawmakers in Washington.

Erasmus says the main concern is the impact the pipeline will have on the Environment.

He wants the project to receive more study before it gets the green light.

“We’re encouraging people to speak up on this issue.  People in Saskatchewan should be speaking on this issue.  Whether or not you want this to go through the province of Saskatchewan and what that means to you.”

Erasmus says others are worried about the potential impacts on human health.

The line is slated to run from the Oilsands, down through central Alberta, before cutting through Saskatchewan and into the U.S.