First Nations leaders fighting proposed pipelines

A group of First Nations leaders has come together to fight proposed new pipelines.

CBC News reports Native leaders from Canada and the U.S. gathered on Parliament Hill Wednesday to show opposition to the Northern Gateway and Keystone XL pipelines.

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says the federal government is communicating with First Nations.

He calls the proposed pipelines an opportunity to transform aboriginal communities hurt from high unemployment.

Nadleh Whut'en First Nation Chief Marin Louie says that opposition to the pipelines goes beyond Native issues.

The federal government recently appointed a special envoy to look at tensions between First Nations and the energy industry.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt says Canada has the genius to develop natural resources while protecting the environment.

Flickr Photo by: FreeRishad

STORY WRITTEN BY: AISHA SAMU