Mi'kmaw grandmothers to launch land title claim against Alton Gas project

Three Indigenous women described as "grassroots grandmothers" who were arrested last week at a rural construction site north of Halifax have filed a title claim over land where a company plans to build a natural gas storage facility.

Their lawyer, Michael McDonald, told the Nova Scotia Supreme Court Wednesdaythat the claim is based on the 1752 treaty with the Crown and the notice of motion is for an Aboriginal title claim for the lands currently being used by Alton Gas.

McDonald said an injunction will also be filed to prevent Alton Gas from doing further work along the Shubenacadie River at Fort Ellis, while the title claim is being settled.

Meanwhile, McDonald's clients Darlene Gilbert, Madonna Bernard and Paula Isaac signed a court order to abide by a temporary injunction that bars protesters from the work site.

Alton Gas plans to use water from the river to create large, underground storage caverns and protesters fear the 73-kilometre tidal river, which cuts through the middle of Nova Scotia, may be polluted.

Justice Gerald Moir has scheduled Aug. 15 to consider the breach of the temporary injunction by the three women, while four dates have been set aside in December for the title claim motion.