Woodland Cree First Nation supports Bill C-69 challenge

Woodland Cree First Nation, northwest of Peace River, will receive a $187,688 grant to intervene in support of the Alberta government’s constitutional challenge of Bill C-69, the Impact Assessment Act.

“I am pleased to work with Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom of the Woodland Cree First Nation to announce the latest steps in enhancing the voices of First Nations in Alberta to stand up for their own interests. The Indigenous Litigation Fund will help Indigenous communities protect their legal right to participate in and benefit from the development of the resources underneath the lands they have called home for generations.”

The $10-million Indigenous Litigation Fund backs Indigenous-led legal action challenging federal legislation that hinders major energy projects in Alberta. It also presents a new way for the provincial and Indigenous governments to strengthen their relationships.

“With today’s announcement, we see the completion of a promise made and promise kept. The Indigenous Litigation Fund will support responsible resource development to move forward and, more importantly, ensure Indigenous voices are heard in standing up for Alberta.”

For many Indigenous communities in Alberta, responsible natural resource development presents an important economic stream to keep people working and funds flowing back to support community-level social and economic programs.

Quick facts

• The Indigenous Litigation Fund is a government commitment to help groups with Indigenous membership voice their support for resource development. Potential applicants are now able to apply for seed funding for research into potential court challenges.