Global Friday Presents
Giuseppe Amatulli
Durham Arctic PhD Programme
Department of Anthropology
Durham University - UK

ABSTRACT:  In my research, I'm studying the cumulative effects of the expansion of the oil and gas industry in Northern BC. I'm particularly interested in understanding how the industrial development (mainly the oil and gas industry, but also logging and other kind of development) has changed habits, lifestyle and culture of two selected First Nations communities living in North-eastern British Columbia: BlueBerry River First Nation (BRFN) and Doig River First Nation (DRFN). To do so, I use an ethnographic approach, performing daily activities with community members, listening their traditional stories and life experiences in order to understand their perception of development. Thus, my aim is to get a better understanding on how they continue performing their traditional activities (so keeping the culture alive) while facing/mitigating the effect of the expansion of the oil and gas industry in their traditional land.

Being in a Treaty 8 territory, I am also interested in exploring legal issues related to First Nations living in the area. Thus, from a legal human rights / indigenous rights perspective, I am following the current lawsuit BRFN v. BC. Chief Marvin Yahey (on behalf of BRFN) sued the Government of BC for the cumulative effects of the industrial development and for the violation of Treaty 8. The verdict is expected to be issued between February and March 2020 and it may set an important precedent for First Nations living in Northeastern BC.

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