In a letter written by Haisla Chief Councillor Steve Wilson to BC Premier Gordon Campbell before Christmas 2007, Wilson complains about the BC Government and BC Hydro not living up to their promises to him in return for taking a neutral position on the Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) at the BCUC Hearings regarding Rio-Tinto Alcan selling excess electricity.

Wilson specifically targets Minister Neufeld and BC Hydro President and CEO, Bob Elton, for not helping him achieve his goals and suggests that both men needed direction from the Premier and states that Elton actually claimed that he was waiting for direction from the Province.

It appears from the letter that there were many facets to the deal made that secured the silence from the Haisla leader. He speaks about the pipeline energy corridor as the First Nations Trade Corridor, transfer of property and an Independent Power Proposal.

Wilson indicates that he has made huge progress with many other First Nations to resolve environmental assessments, overlapping claims and he mentions a trip to Alaska to demonstrate support for the Province. All this he states was part of his end of the “promise”.

Although Wilson complains about the inaction of the Provincial Government, the Crown, and the Minister he has high praise for Roger Harris stating, “you would be proud to know that Roger Harris has been involved and has made a huge difference.”

Wilson goes on to state that his critics have accused him of being bought off by Alcan because he had facilitated the BC Hydro Alcan EPA, where he states “by not standing in the way”.

The critics, whom Wilson speaks of, may simply have considered the wrong party that purchased the favour of Wilson’s silence. It would appear by the context and the direction of the letter that the secret deal may have come directly from the Premiers office.

"I have more than lived up to my promise and I expect the Province to live up to what it has promised me. That includes what BC Hydro has promised for the Haisla to take a neutral position on the EPA at the BCUC Oral Hearings!" states Wilson in his correspondence.