The Atlas Network, a U.S.-based libertarian coalition, has been involved in efforts that many argue undermine Indigenous rights, particularly in Canada. The organization has partnered with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, an Ottawa-based think tank, to influence Canadian policies related to Indigenous rights. This collaboration has focused on limiting the ability of Indigenous communities to oppose energy development projects on their lands.
Internal documents reveal that the Atlas Network aimed to prevent the Canadian government from fully supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This declaration, if fully implemented, would grant Indigenous communities greater control over land and resource decisions, including the right to reject pipelines and drilling projects.
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute enlisted pro-industry Indigenous representatives to create a narrative that Indigenous prosperity is closely tied to oil and gas development. This strategy was intended to provide a “shield against opponents” of energy projects.
The campaign has been described as a modern form of imperialism, continuing the long history of external forces dictating Indigenous affairs. Despite the Canadian Parliament passing legislation to implement UNDRIP in 2021, progress has been slow. Critics argue that the influence of the Atlas Network and its partners has contributed to this stagnation. Indigenous groups linked to the campaign continue to advocate for energy development, often appearing in media and government hearings to support this view.
The Atlas Network’s activities are part of a larger pattern of conservative and libertarian organizations working to shape policies in favor of oil and gas interests. This has significant implications for Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and the broader struggle for self-determination among Indigenous peoples.
The Frontier Centre for Public Policy (FCPP) in Canada that was part of the Atlas Network once employed David Seymour. has expressed opposition to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Tom Flanagan, a senior fellow at the FCPP, has argued that adopting UNDRIP in Canada could give Indigenous people too much power, particularly concerning the requirement for “free, prior and informed consent” before development occurs.
Supplied: David Seymour Frontier Centre for Public Policy
