Lately I’ve been amused by a TV commercial that features a black oil and gas executive, or maybe an actor who plays one, talking about how wonderful the development of Canadian oil sands will be for our economy. It will create jobs for Americans and improve our economy. Still scratching my head on that one. A project in Canada is going to create jobs in the US and save our economy? All unemployed Americans will get Canadian work permits? Does Canada have anything to say about this, or are oil companies running the show?

The absurdity of the claims of the commercial, don’t begin to tell the story of what is happening in Canada. Indian Country Today, a publication that is published by and for Native Americans, has a story  about what is happening on the traditional lands of the Lubicon Cree in northern Alberta. For 30 years their land has been ground zero for oil sands development. The tribe has suffered pipeline explosions, oil spills, forest fires, and a general deterioration of their way of life.

There is no way I can describe the horror of the results of tar sand development, please just go to the link and watch the video. It will take about 10 minutes of your time. After you watch it, ask yourself the question “Is it worth it?”

Homework

Listen to the Voice of Reason