Indigenous Legalities, Pipeline Viscosities: Colonial Extractivism and Wet’suwet’en Resistance

by Tyler McCreary

Indigenous Legalities, Pipeline Viscosities examines the relationship between the Wet'suwet'en nation and pipeline development, showing how colonial governments and corporations seek to control Indigenous claims, and how the Wet'suwet'en resist. Tyler McCreary offers historical context for the unfolding relationship between Indigenous peoples and colonialism and explores pipeline regulatory review processes, attempts to reconcile Indigeneity with development, as well as fundamental questions about territory and jurisdiction. Throughout, McCreary demonstrates how the cyclical and ongoing movements between resistance and reconciliation are affected by the unequal relations between Indigenous peoples and colonial government and development operations. This book will be of interest to readers interested in Indigenous and Wet'suwet'en politics, as well as the politics of pipeline development. Scholars in geography, environmental studies, political science, law, and Indigenous Studies will benefit from this sophisticated analysis.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, History

367 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2024

Reviews

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

some kind of review of this probably forthcoming in print

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful! Outlines the ways in which Indigenous assertions of sovereignty challenge and alter the ways in which settler legal frameworks are applied to extractive resource projects. Highlights the ways in which even groups which sign on to resource projects often do so from a position of severely limited power and options, being forced to become partners in destructive projects to gain comparatively minor economic concessions. “Engagement”and “consultation” processes are often merely windows dressings by resource corporations and government entities as the underlying assumption always seems to be that the project will move forward regardless. Ends on a hopeful note suggesting that the relationship between First Nations groups and extractive companies and entities is an ongoing one, assertions of sovereignty are assertions of continued existence and relevance.

“The solution is not an imagined return to an imagined precolonial purity of Indigenous traditions. Instead, it requires renewing Indigenous practices of jurisdiction in the present and ending the presumption of settler supremacy over Indigenous authorities.”

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Tyler McCreary could have talked more about the Wet'suwet'en resistance to the pipeline, I feel he was too lenient to Canada and B.C.'s colonial behaviours to the Indigenous peoples. I also don't think that the Federal Government or the Provincial governments are interested in reconcilation or if they are it is only on their terms.