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National Indigenous News June 8 · National Indigenous Newscasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: This is a look at your National Indigenous News.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Daryl Stranger.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: Treaty chiefs representing First Nations across the West say they are willing to carry out acts of civil disobedience if necessary to fight Alberta Premier Daniel Smith's separation vote.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: Treaty eight Grand Chief Trevor Mercury last week renewed a call for Smith to put a stop to the upcoming referendum.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: He pointed to a recent court decision that stalled a separation petition drive on the grounds Smith's government did not fulfill its constitutional duty to consult First Nations.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: He said First Nations have not given consent and will stop the referendum in any way they can, including getting in the way of industry or, in his words, going out on the highways.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: On October 19th, Albertans will vote on whether they want to stay in Canada or start the process to hold a second binding referendum on quitting the country.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: The Treaty Eight Chiefs append an open letter to Smith's government demanding it halt the referendum process without full consultation and consent from Treaty 8 First Nations.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: In the letter, Mercerty writes that the duty to consult is required by the Constitution whenever government action might adversely impact treaty rights.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: In response to the letter, Smith's government reiterated the Premier's stance that thousands of Albertans petitioned for the referendum and the question does not trigger any duty to consult First Nations.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: Mercury said the debate over seceding from Canada is inciting racism against Indigenous people in their communities, pointing to people being harassed on the highway and receiving abuse online.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: Mercury said it's a national, constitutional issue, and they'll be asking the federal government to reinforce the Clarity Act, which allows Parliament to weigh in on separation questions.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: A large solar array will soon supplement power at a proposed Yukon mine.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: Along with a battery storage system, the Coffee Gold Project will have two arrays and they will be powerful enough to electrify the equivalent of 100 homes for a year.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: The territory and White River First Nations Development Corporation Copper Nisu have signed a new agreement to make all of this happen.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Located 130 kilometers south of Dawson City, the Coffee Gold Project is fully remote.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: Without a grid connection, companies like it are forced to burn fossil fuels, primarily diesel.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: The mine has been burning this type of fuel since day one.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Enter the solar arrays, which at full force will be able to displace upward of nearly 600,000 liters of diesel annually.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: The project currently remains under the assessment process, although the mine could pass the process by year's end.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: If that happens, solar energy will still help offset emissions, and the White River First Nation will own the arrays whose generated power Talamore will purchase.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: The territorial and federal governments are paying for most of the project, which is expected to be ready and running sometime next year.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: So far, the Solar Array System has a price tag of more than$6 million.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: In Prince Rupert, British Columbia, more than 130 new homes are now open or underway for Indigenous people within the city.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: 70 new affordable homes are open in Prince Rupert to support members of the Lax Qualms Band.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: Another 61 homes are underway with a focus on providing affordable homes for urban Indigenous families in Prince Rupert.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: The buildings provide a combination of studio, one, two, and three bedroom homes for people with low to moderate incomes and includes 15 fully accessible homes.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: The buildings will accommodate multi-generational living and will provide a gathering space for activities that celebrate the rich local culture.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: That includes local language classes and supporting traditional art.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: That's a look at your National Indigenous News.