This article has been updated to include comments from E.nvironment Minister Jason Nixon’s office..The Piikani Nation says they are not blockading water that normally flows to Lethbridge, but they are accusing the Alberta government of accessing their lands without permission — a claim refuted by.Environment Minister Jason Nixon’s office..Stan Grier, Chief of the Piikani First Nation, says they’ve been in discussions with the province since 2018 to resolve outstanding issues to ensure that Piikani’s interests are preserved amid the massive water infrastructure project on their land..“Unfortunately, in advance of conclusion of talks, there have been many instances of Ministry of Environment contractors conducting work on our Reserve Lands,” Grier said in a statement..“Needless to say, that is unacceptable.”.In 2002, the voters of Piikani Nation approved a $64.3 million settlement with the governments of Alberta and Canada over Piikani water rights impacted by the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation Headworks on the Oldman River. .According to an article from Alberta Sweetgrass at the time of agreement,“the settlement puts aside claims that the Piikani Nation may have on water rights, under Aboriginal, treaty or common law, and discontinues current legal action in regard to litigation over rights, entitlements and jurisdiction relating to the ‘beds, shores and water of the Oldman River as it passes through the Piikani Reserve.’”.The agreement gives Alberta access to the headworks to supply water to the Irrigation District, said Paul Hamnett, Nixon’s.press secretary..“Any access to Reserve land that occurred by government officials were for repairs and safety reasons as legally defined by conditions of the Agreement and accompanying access permits,” Hamnett said in a statement to the Western Standard..The government is working in good faith and in the spirit of reconciliation with Piikani Nation to resolve the situation, he said..Grier also said a news story is “incorrectly reporting that the Piikani Nation is blocking a major water infrastructure project on the Oldman River.”.“This is simply not the case.” .On Thursday, RealAgriculture reported that members of Piikani Nation were blockading water..“Multiple sources say members of the Piikani Nation — for reasons still yet to be clarified — are blocking water from reaching the (Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District), as of April 21,” the article reads. .“There are indications there has been a break in the original agreement that was made between the Alberta government and the Piikani tribe, back in 2002.”.The 2002 Alberta Sweetgrass article says that Piikani First Nation passed the agreement without “overwhelming support.”.Of the 1,848 eligible voters, 1,250 ballots were cast, 720 of which were in favour of the agreement..Rachel Emmanuel is the Edmonton Bureau Chief for the Western Standard.remmanuel@westernstandard.news
