Vista Coal Underground Mine Project and Vista Mine Phase II Expansion Project
Vista Mine is a stage on which Indigenous cultures, colonialism, and infrastructure clash.
Reference Number
46
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The Mountain Cree have a documented history in the area of proposed mine expension that begins in the Legendary History with the first arrival of man in the region. Legendry recounts events involving the legendary hero WISAKACHAK; this legendry states that WISAKACHAK arrived in Cree lands of southern Alberta from the Blackfoot. Travels and stories recount events as he traveled north along the foothills to the Athabasca River. The first Cree ancestors arrived in Alberta some 15,000 years ago, moving north in the wake of the retreating ice age. Indigineus people have been ever since in the area of proposed mine.
This is the historic Mountain Cree territory. Statistical Linguistic and Ethnological Content Analysis indicate that indigineus stories have a basis in historic fact. Legendry also recounts the Mountain Cree in the foothills in the immediate post-glacial period, which can be dated by the geological details included in the legend. Archaeological evidence shows that an archaeological group, or "band", existed in this area 5,000 years ago showing the same cultural and social traits as the historic Mountain Cree. Documentary reference to the Mountain Cree begins in 1630 and continues on into the present. Leadership of the Mountain Cree traces the genealogy of the leadership in a direct line to the chief recorded in 1650. This is the longest documentable history of any group in western Canada.
The ASINI WACHI NEHIYAWAK (Mountain Cree) Traditional Band has knowlege of 2,000 past members of AWNTB and their specific histories and Land Use history in the area. In time the Mountain Cree split into a number of bands under the Head Chief Bobtail, and spread throughout much of southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana, with outlying bands in Manitoba, Washington and Oregon.
By the 1870's the Mountain Cree part of a complex frontier society not dis-similar to what was to be found in Ontario of the American Great Lakes area. They were self-sufficient hunters, trappers, traders, freighters, contractors and homesteaders. There were gardners, herders, cartwrights, blacksmiths, log construction specialists, fort builders. Homesteaders had built the first irrigation in the west, had become the first hog-producers, and imported the first threshing machine into Alberta.
By 1870 they had founded numerous frontier settlements throughout the west including Calgary. The Band, the Mountain Cree (ASINI WACHI NEHIYAWAK)/Bobtail Descendants, is one of the ASINI WACHI bands. In the 1870's over 1,000 members of the Mountain Cree did not enter Treaty. They are the descendants of those members of the Mountain Cree who never signed a Treaty with Canada and never surrendered their lands, property or rights. It is estimated that today their descendants number some 30,000 persons. They are curently in the process of identifying these descendants.
The grave of Chief Robert Smallboy and buried with Chief Smallboy Order of Canada is located on land near the proposed mine expension. This grave as other graves should be protected becouse are on secred teretory. Established in 1967, The Order of Canada is a Canadian National Order that recognizes the outstanding merit or distinguished service of Canadians who make a major difference to Canada through lifelong contributions in every field of endeavor and who have made the world better by their actions. The Canadian and Alberta Provincial Goverment owe Chief Robert Smallboy honor and courtesy.The whole area should be protected.
My business is tourism in this region. I collaborate and work with the local Aboriginal communities, we take tourists from around the world into area of proposed mine expension. The benefit to me and the people I employ is tangible, no negative impact on the environment, a sustainable industry. There are a number of First Nation communities that depend on the region. They too are a national obligation that warrants federal intervation and protection.
It is clear in the mandate of Natural Resources Canada that this matter is also of National interest. "Committed to improving the quality of life of Canadians by ensuring the country’s abundant natural resources are developed sustainably, competitively and inclusively."
These pristine lands that over a hundred years ago had insightful Canadians, not just Albertans, protect these lands. They are now threatened with destruction. Our land is our legacy, once it's gone, it will be gone forever. This is not just an Alberta matter, our land is our Canadian legacy. Once in operation, the whole area that is located near the proposed mine expension, the past history and those people living close will be affected by the Vista coal mine expansion.
All I am asking of the federal regulator is that they assume their responsibility and review the details and provide an assessment of the location and area in the best interest of all Aboriginal People and Canadians.
Submitted by
Jerzy Maslanka
Phase
Planning
Public Notice
Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Summary of the Initial Project Description
