Fractured Land Subject Caleb Behn in Vancouver to Discuss Indigenous Law, Resources

Share

Caleb Behn, a young, Indigenous law student from northeast BC and the subject of the forthcoming documentary film Fractured Land, will be at the Vancouver Public Library this Thursday evening, February 28, to give a talk sponsored by Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada.

Behn, who recently completed his legal studies at UVic with a concentration in environmental law and sustainability, derives from Treaty 8 country in northeast BC – one of the most heavily industrialized regions in the world. On side of his family is Dunne Za and Cree from West Moberly First Nations in the Peace River Valley, the other being Eh-Cho Dene from Fort Nelson. Both territories have been heavily affected by natural gas “fracking” operations, among other industrial activities – including logging, mining and large hydroelectric dams.

Behn’s presentation, which starts at 7 pm in the Alice McKay Room at the Vancouver Public Library’s downtown branch (350 W. Georgia), is titled “Indigenous Law as a Solution to Resource Conflict in Treaty 8”.

Event host Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada describes it as follows:

Unconventional energy development made possible by hydraulic fracturing (“Fracking”), has massively increased energy development in Treaty 8, which contains the second largest hydrocarbon deposit on earth. This has led to litigation, blockades and other forms of conflict with indigenous communities. Caleb Behn examines the potential of indigenous laws and legal traditions to ensure preservation of the environment as a condition of energy development and to effect reconciliation.

Behn’s profile has increased of late, partly due to his involvement in the documentary film Fractured Land, co-directed by The Common Sense Canadian’s Damien Gillis. The soon-to-be-lawyer recently completed a speaking tour through the Yukon, discussing proposed fracking operations there, and another with The Council of Canadians’ Maude Barlow, dealing with proposed oil and gas pipelines and tankers in BC.

Thursday’s night’s event is free of charge, but seating is limited.

Share

1 thought on “Fractured Land Subject Caleb Behn in Vancouver to Discuss Indigenous Law, Resources

  1. Thursday, 28 February 2013 12:59 posted by Rick Zitman

    I suggest aiming towards recognition of FN persons as the custodial guardians of physical “Canada”. And I would bestow on them, the Veto vote, on ALL decisions that effect the environment.

    how’s that for a classy solution?

    rz

Comments are closed.