HAIDA GWAII: Haida Gwaii CoASt is disappointed that the JRP approved Enbridge’s pipeline that would bring oil supertankers to Northern BC. Island communities came together to participate in the hearings and almost 200 spoke directly to the panel. Every single speaker stated his or her vehement opposition to Enbridge’s proposal for countless different reasons.
Haida Gwaii relies heavily on wild foods from the ocean and land. An oil spill puts all of that at risk and Island communities are not prepared to accept that risk. Haida Gwaii communities – both Haida and non-Haida – hold strong stewardship values. With a tradition of working together, we are committed to protecting our home from unsustainable, large-scale development projects. This was very clear at the JRP hearings – the Islands are strong and united against the Northern Gateway. Enbridge does not have social license for this project.
“The Panel’s recommendation doesn’t reflect our values. This whole project is absurd from start to finish – it’s totally destructive. We will not allow oil supertankers through our waters and we’re not backing down”, declared Gwaai Edenshaw.
“’The Haida Nation is the rightful heir to Haida Gwaii. Our culture is born of respect; and intimacy with the land and sea and the air around us. Like the forests, the roots of our people are intertwined such that the greatest troubles cannot overcome us. We owe our existence to Haida Gwaii.’ That’s from the preamble of our Constitution and that says it all,” explained April Churchill, former Vice-President of the Haida nation. “We have love and respect for Haida Gwaii, the Earth, and all of its beings. We will persevere in unity.”
Contacts
Haida Gwaii CoASt Spokesperson, April Churchill:
250.559.2332 | aprilvictoriachurchill@gmail.com
Haida Gwaii CoASt Spokesperson, Gwaai Edenshaw:
778.828.9165 | haidaart@mac.com
Haida Gwaii relies heavily on wild foods from the ocean and land but the majority of the income is from Gov’t sources – supported by Oil. The rest of the world knows that the Cdn $ is a petrodollar – too many people on Haida Qwaii see only the stumps not the forest
Reblogged this on Lingit Latseen.
I would like to see a world map charting every damaging / Nature-killing oil spill big – small, AND every relating major mishap, it would be the visual it takes to awaken the mainstream. Any1 who appreciates the sounds of singing birds, fresh air and clean water, and can relate to other than $, will see the damage and threat to all living things in our world as a whole!
Reblogged this on s-kw'etu'? and commented:
The time has come…