VICTORIA — A First Nations elder told a National Energy Board hearing that Kinder Morgan's proposed pipeline expansion threatens traditional hunting and food sources and the archeological sites of his people.
Seventy-five-year-old Simon Smith made the comments while providing oral evidence at a NEB hearing gathering evidence from aboriginal interveners for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.
Smith told reporters his band, the Tsartlip (SART'-lip) people of southern Vancouver Island, support the hundreds of people who are protesting and the dozens arrested in demonstrations against the pipeline on Burnaby Mountain.
He says the leadership of his Victoria-area First Nation already told Kinder Morgan officials about a year ago that they want no part of the proposed pipeline expansion.
Smith says he is speaking out against the pipeline proposal to protect future generations.
Several aboriginals from Vancouver Island will present evidence at the energy board hearings through to Friday.
