Alberta Indigenous groups want to buy equity share in Trans Mountain pipeline

Indigenous groups in the Fort McMurray region of Alberta have put governments on noticethey want to buy an equity share in the controversialTrans Mountain pipeline.

While Premier Rachel Notleywas in Fort McMurraydoing a victory lap after the federal governmentagreed to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline, Indigenous leaders released a statement that they intended to buy an equity stake in the line.

"You know, in order for us to be successful, we need to move the oil,"Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam said after the premier spoke.

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The Indigenous groups hand-delivereda letter to Notleyduring theirscheduled meeting with the premier.

Notleysaid interest from a variety of groups is to be expected in the pipeline and she doesn't doubt, in the spirit of reconciliation, the federal government will considerbusiness proposals from Indigenous groups.

"I'm encouraged to see what we have always known to be the case, that many First Nations and Indigenous leaders across this country see our resources as being a source of income,"Notleysaid.

The Indigenous coalition also sent a letter toFinance Minister Bill Morneauafter meetingwith federal ministers Amarjeet Sohi and Ralph Goodaleon Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the federal government announced it will spend $4.5 billion to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline and related infrastructure, and it will also take on construction of the pipeline to the west coast.

The government has also said it is interested in finding a new buyer to operate the pipeline.

Indigenous groups in Alberta and B.C.and pension funds have expressed interest in purchasing the pipeline from the government.

'No bad pipelines,' just 'bad operators'

The Alberta Indigenous groups represent five First Nations that form part of the Athabasca Tribal Council, and five that form part of the Athabasca River Mtis.

All but the Fort McKayFirst Nation signed the letter, said Ron Quintal, president of the Athabasca River Mtis.

The coalition said it wants to buy an equity share in thepipeline to help secure the economic futureof their communities.

Many of the region's First Nations and Mtisgroups already own companies involved in the oilsands.

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The Fort MckayFirst Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation purchased a 49 per cent share in a Suncortank farm in November.

The groups saidthey want a seat at the table to ensure the pipeline is built with the highest respect for the environment.

"There are nobad pipelines from our perspective," Quintal said. "There are bad operators. So from our perspective, it is not just about buying in to become fiscally sustainable. It's so we can be environmentally sustainable."

The leaders saidthey'll only buy into the pipeline after consultation with their members and their elders.

Connect with David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInor email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca