DFN Chief Don Testawich stated, "Our traditional territory is being overrun and cut to pieces by oil sands, major pipelines, gas fields and major power projects. Companies projects that will fuel unsustainable oil sands growth. Development on this scale is making our Treaty Rights meaningless and threatens our traditional way of life".

Chief Testawich added, "The governments of Alberta and Canada sit back and refuse to address our concerns. We are intervening before the Supreme Court because it is abundantly clear that neither the environment nor First Nations can expect to receive a fair hearing within Alberta, where oil sands revenues are at stake. We need help now and help fast".

The First Nations are taking this matter to the Supreme Court because of their mounting frustration over refusal by the governments and their regulators to act on earlier court decisions that direct governments to deal with their rights. Canada's Supreme Court will hear views of First Nations, governments and industry in the Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. v. the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council case whichwill address the question of whether regulatory boards and tribunals have a duty to decide whether the Crown adequately consulted and accommodated First Nations' concerns before granting approvals for resource development.