Band Official Worries About Reactor On-Reserve

Band Official Worries About Reactor On-Reserve

Friday, June 12, 2009 at 13:56

 

 

A Thunderchild First Nation official questions why, if nuclear power plants are so safe, they aren’t being proposed for downtown Saskatoon or Regina.

 

Thunderchild Consultation Manager Eldon Okanee was reacting to a series of hearings on possible uranium development.

 

Those hearings are being held across the province.

 

Okanee attended the one in North Battleford last night.

 

He wonders why Bruce Power isn’t considering locating the plant in more heavily populated areas of the province.

 

He’s heard suspicions that that might be because communities along the North Saskatchewan River are smaller, and they might be more anxious for the jobs nuclear power could bring.

 

“Don’t put it on First Nations land,” he said. “We’re the keepers of the Earth. We’re the ones that are trying to protect the environment, Mother Earth. That’s always been our viewpoint.”

 

Okanee says all those involved in the nuclear industry need to consult with the Thunderchild First Nation before building anything.