Delbert Wapass says his group is close to making an offer to buy the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project from the Federal Government.
The former Chief of the Thunderchild First Nation is Executive Chair and Founder of Project Reconciliation which is a collection of Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners.
He says the group’s ability to work harmoniously is an example of what’s possible and they are looking for partners from all sectors to be part of the bid.
Wapass feels it’s time for Indigenous people to step up and create their own destiny insisting this is the type of opportunity First Nations have been demanding from governments and industry for decades.
The Indigenous leader believes ownership could mean the ability to reinvest project proceeds to address problems like First Nations unemployment and housing but says their first priority is making sure project is environmentally sound.
Wapass points out they can decide the environmental parameters of the project instead of negotiating them ensuring First Nations priorities to protect the water, land and wildlife are met.
The man in charge of Project Reconciliation is encouraged by the amount of interest shown by potential partners and says a bank is on board and other elements of a purchase team such as legal advisors are also in place.
Wapass says they do not plan to use any taxpayer dollars believing they can raise the necessary capital through money markets and wants to close the deal before construction is slated to begin this fall. The idea is to buy majority control and eventually assume total ownership.
He realizes there are other Indigenous leaders and bands firmly opposed to the project but sees the purchase plan as a transformational opportunity for First Nations and feels those opposed need to decide their own course of action.
