Siksika Nation files legal challenge against province’s coal development decision

The Siksika Nation says it's about more than just environmental concerns, saying development of the area would put its culture at risk.

The Siksika Nation has filed a legal challenge against the Government of Alberta‘s decision to end a moratorium on coal development in the province’s Rocky Mountains.

The Nation says it’s about more than just environmental concerns, saying development of the area would put its culture at risk.

“Our whole culture really revolves around land-based teaching and the connections (to the land),” says Samuel Crowfoot, a councillor for Siksika Nation. “Eastern slopes are one of the last few places we have left in Alberta that we can go and practice our ways of life.”

It’s the second challenge the nation has filed against provincial coal development policies. In May 2020 Siksika filed a legal challenge against the Government of Alberta’s decision to rescind the 1976 Coal Policy, allowing companies to apply for leases in the eastern part of the Rockies. The Lougheed era policy had prevented coal mining in roughly 14,000 square kilometres of mountain slopes.

That lawsuit was dropped when the province reinstated the policy and created the Coal Policy Committee to consult with the public and First Nations and make recommendations to the government to shape any future potential development.

“I understand we need resource development and Alberta is uniquely situated to have this type of opportunity,” says Crowfoot. “But how and when and where they go about it is what we are concerned about.”

Siksika Nation says representatives, alongside other First Nations, appeared in front of the committee to share their insight, but says Alberta’s decision to end the moratorium ignored the recommendations made.

“We’ve tried other means to advise them and get our voices heard,” says Crowfoot. “We find the only time Alberta really pays attention is if they’re fined with a statement of claim.”