Interview with Crystal Lameman of Beaver Lake Cree and Jasmine Thomas of Saik'uz First Nation

Part II of Front Line communities interviews

by Miles Howe

Jasmine Thomas, of Saik'uz First Nation, was one of the keynote speakers at PowerShift Atlantic. [Photo: Project Survival Media]

Crystal Lameman's community of Beaver Lake is slated to challenge the governments of Alberta and Canada on cummulative effects of tar sands development on treaty rights. {Photo: Project Survival Media]

K'JIPUKTUK (HALIFAX) – At the recent PowerShift Atlantic conference, the Halifax Media Co-op had the humbling opportunity to set aside a few minutes and interview Crystal Lameman and Jasmine Thomas, two of the keynote speakers at the event.

Lameman, from Beaver Lake Cree Nation in Northern 'Alberta', and Thomas, from Saik'uz First Nation in Northern 'British Columbia', have been strong voices representing their respective communities against the actuality and potentiality of tar sands-related developments.

Due to the cumulative environmental infringements that tar sands development has had upon treaty rights, Lameman's community has won the right to a legal showdown with the governments of Alberta and Canada.

Thomas' community, in defence against pipeline development through traditional territories, has aligned itself with numerous other First Nations in unceded 'British Columbia' and has created the Yinka Dene alliance, a group that has created a virtual wall of resistance around oil pipeline developments.

Please enjoy the following interview with Crystal Lameman and Jasmine Thomas.

The First part of our Front Line communities interviews, with Vanessa Gray of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, can be found here.

Over 60 actions organized internationally in response to... Jan 12

GROUNDWIRE OCTOBER 8 | MMIW HEARINGS AND VIGILS, MASS... Oct 16

GroundWire | Housing in the Budget, Fontaine Boushie... Mar 16

Activist Court Support: Kinder Morgan wants permanent ban... Mar 15