The chief of Tk’emlups to Secwepemc says Jacko Lake was the largest area of concern with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, but says the Crown corporation will have to address any environmental concerns.

The Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation (SSN) – which includes Tk’emlups and the Skeetchestn Indian Band near Savona – withdrew from a court challenge of the project three months ago, after signing a Mutual Benefit Agreement with Trans Mountain.

That court case was dismissed this week by the Federal Court of Appeal, which included four Indigenous communities in B.C. who say they have not given consent for the expansion project to be built through their reserves.

“For us, the MBA, we came together to develop a contemporary, modern solution, to support the protection of those ancestral lands,” Casimir says, speaking about the situation for the SSN.

“Having an agreement is one tool that we can be sure they’re going to be addressing those environmental concerns. And addressing and protecting the lake, Jacko, and that, we’re taking care of and truly being stewards of the land there.

“Bottom line is that SSN, we gave our consent on the expansion. We gave our consent in regards to free, prior and informed consent. Basically we gave our consent in support of the project.”

Casimir wouldn’t say what the value is of the MBA that the two bands have signed with Trans Mountain.

The MBA the City of Kamloops has with Trans Mountain will provide the city a payout of $700,000.