The Deh Cho First Nation in northern Canada has successfully mounted a campaign to block an 800-mile natural gas pipeline that would run through its traditional lands.

Tribal leaders say the pipeline will hurt their culture and bring little economic benefit. Their opposition has prompted other tribes to take a stand against a billion-dollar project that will bring gas to consumers in the United States.

Deh Cho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian acknowledges the tribe's unsettled land claim is playing a major factor in opposition to the pipeline. The tribe wants complete sovereignty and control, including mineral rights, over an area the size of Nebraska.

Oil company executives and some federal officials say the Deh Cho demands are unreasonable. Shell, ExxonMobil, Conoco Phillips and Imperial Oil have halted work and are threatening to call of the project, which is way behind schedule.

Get the Story:
Frozen pipeline (The San Francisco Chronicle 5/23)

Relevant Links:
Deh Cho First Nations - http://www.dehchofirstnations.com