Little Red River band pushes for federal review of Daishowa pulp mill

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The Little Red River Band of northern Alberta isn't trying to cut down the developers of a mega pulp mill in Peace River, claims Chief Johnsen Sewepagaham.

They just want the federal government to recognize its obligations to Indian people.

He is pushing for a federally-sponsored review of the $500 million Daishowa Canada Ltd. project he fears will damage the environment and affect the livelihood of his people.

After a recent decision by the federal government to delay construction of a dam in Saskatchewan, Sewepagaham is optimistic Native concerns will be heard here.

And if the federal Environmental Assessment Review Office postpones development of the Daishowa project until public hearings are held, "that just means we were right all along--that something was wrong with the way the pulp mill was authorized and pushed through by the provincial government," he said.

The Daishowa project is more than half-built and company officials say any delay in construction could jeopardize the project.

Sewepagaham said that's not his worry.

"I won't feel bad. They should clean up their act. It will give the whole industry something to think about."

The Little Red River Band is currently drafting a position paper to present to the federal government demanding it step in and halt construction of the mill until a public review is held.

Construction of the hotly-contested Rafferty-Alameda Dam in Saskatchewan was recently put on hold until similar hearings are held.

Sewepagaham said if the federal government can do it in that case, they should do it here.

"We're hoping to use that as an example. It should affect the outcome of the Daishowa mill," he said.

But Daishowa vice-president Tom Hamaoka said his company has already spent $400 million on the project and a delay will have a "substantial impact" on the future of the mill.

Sewepagaham maintains the federal government has an obligation to ensure forestry projects do not contaminate the environment with pollutants that could destroy Native culture.

He said Natives in northern Alberta have never been given an opportunity to question the development and operating process of the mill although the company convinced the provincial government it was environmentally sound.