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Stoney Nakoda First Nations wants mountain town projects reviewed

An Alberta First Nation has added its voice to calls for a provincial environmental review of two major real estate development projects in a neighboring mountain town.

Stoney sent a letter to the Nakoda First Nations province requesting an evaluation of the Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek projects in Canmore, Alta.

The Stoney Nakoda Band includes the Bearpaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations.

The letter calls for traditional lands to be ecologically functional in order for the Stoney Nakoda to continue their cultural and traditional practices of hunting, gathering, camping and fishing.

Both Canmore projects include everything from residential to resort facilities and commercial development.

The concerns came after a group of Canmore residents demanded the government stick to its legislation and conduct an environmental review of the incidents.

Canmore City Council initially rejected projects that would have doubled the city's population, but the Alberta Land and Property Rights Tribunal ruled in 2022 that both cases could go ahead.

The town, located west of Calgary and adjacent to Banff National Park, unsuccessfully challenged the decision in the Alberta Court of Appeal and has since moved forward.

Stoney Nakoda First Nations has also filed a lawsuit against the city and the Alberta government to stop the events. The case is scheduled to be heard at the Crown Court later this month.

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