St John River Valley Tribal Council
Consulting in Woodstock First Nation

Our people, trying to protect what little we have. It means that we must have meaningful involvement at the strategic planning level in decisions on resources and development, with a real possibility of changing the policies and choices made, in this case as regards shale gas development. This means respect for our lands and resources. Still, for the Chief and Council of the Elsipogtog First Nation, the only path forward is peaceful insistence on respect for our Aboriginal rights and title and for our Treaties of Peace and Friendship with the Crown. were subjected to the presence of hundreds of police, were pulled by the hair and man-handled; dozens were arrested, including Elders, including heavily armed tactical forces; people were pepper sprayed and shot with rubber bullets and threatened with dogs; many, including Chief Aaron Sock and several Councillors. 'Consultation' with no prospect of changing the choices already made by the province is unconstitutional and illegal, as are the permits given to SWN Resources Canada Inc.