Harley’s Vision - Our mandate...

... to embrace Harley’s Vision to stop release of contaminants due to coal mining by removing all bioaccumulated selenium from the Oldman River drainage and ensuring the health of our waters for all life into perpetuity.

The spirit of the respected late Piikani Elder, Harley Bastien, a resolute environmental steward lives on. Shortly before he passed in September 2025, he committed to claiming his Treaty and Constitutional Rights recognized in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution giving Indigenous Nations legal grounds to manage their own traditional resources.

Verifiable scientific research has determined the levels of selenium in several species of fish in Crowsnest Lake are beyond acceptable levels safe for human consumption. Tent Mountain coal mine, owned by Evolve Power, was decommissioned 40 plus years ago but never properly reclaimed, resulting in ongoing contamination of the waters and poisoning fish upon which First Nations depend for sustenance.

Trevor Bastien, Harley’s son, has taken up his father’s torch and is represented by Ackroyd Law, Edmonton. A Demand Letter was served in March of 2026 to Environment Canada, Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and Evolve Power (Canada) Ltd. This letter demands that Evolve Power undertake immediate remediation of the Tent Mountain mine site in order to unequivocally stop the further release of selenium. As well, Evolve Power must fund and carry out full remediation of affected surface waters, sediments and biota.

To date, no action has been taken by any of the defendants. Harley’s Vision was created not only to honour his legacy but to ensure remediation of Crowsnest Creek and Lake. Legal action will be commenced soon by Trevor Bastien seeking an Order from the Court of King’s Bench for mandatory injunctive relief against Evolve Power.

This initiative is about so much more than one lake and one creek. High levels of selenium have been detected in the Oldman River flowing through the Piikani Nation. This serves to highlight the damage being done by coal mining in the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies and it is a critical next step in arresting habitat destruction caused by selenium leached from these mines.

The Constitutional nature of this action may result in going to the Supreme Court. We anticipate long term fundraising efforts may be necessary.

We thank you in advance for your financial contribution towards Harley’s Vision and this action. All donations will be used exclusively to pay legal expenses as we continue to fight for real protection of our mountains and water. Donations are collected and administered by the Chinook Water*Shed Society.