Talk: Eriel Tchekwie Deranger
As part of our Rights of Nature Conference in 2015, we were joined by Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, a Dene Indigenous activist, who discussed her work as a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) of Northern Alberta, Canada.
Eriel Tchekwie Deranger is a Dene Indigenous activist and member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) of Northern Alberta, Canada. Eriel is currently employed as the Tar Sands Campaign and Communication Coordinator for ACFN. Her work focuses on creating greater awareness about the impacts of the Alberta Tar Sands and demanding that all levels of government and the private sector fully implement the unique Indigenous rights her people hold as described by Treaty 8, and the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is most notable for suing Shell Canada for unmet past Tar Sands Impact Benefit agreements as well as challenging Shell’s application for permits to expand and build new tar sands projects in Northern Alberta. Shell is currently one of the largest tar sands operators. The newly proposed projects would contribute to further erosion of the fragile ecosystems, critical wildlife habitat, and Indigenous territory in Northern Alberta.