COAST SALISH TERRITORIES -  Rising Tide hung a 30-ft banner saying No Consent No Pipelines off the Trans-Canada Highway today during a “consultation” meeting called by the Harper government between First Nations leaders and government representatives.

Energy Minister Joe Oliver told reporters gathered for a news conference in New York on Tuesday that the meetings are part of the federal government's effort to ensure that "aboriginal communities are engaged early in the process and that they derive benefits from these projects."

Indigenous communities have already rejected both the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan Tar Sands pipelines in the Save the Fraser Declaration and others have said an unwavering “NO” to the Pacific Trails Pipeline in Northern BC. They have repeatedly asked that their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent be respected by both colonial governments and industry.

When asked what the government could do to bring First Nations groups onside, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip responded saying "there's nothing that [the government] can put on the table that is going to satisfy the concerns that have been expressed through the joint panel review hearings."

These meetings show a complete disregard for Indigenous peoples’ work to address the impacts of industry on their land as well as climate change in general.  Frontline communities are courageously opposing extreme energy projects, and our best hope for a just and sustainable future for all of us is to stand behind them. That is why we are here today.

Consultation does not equal consent.