Nations collaborate to oppose Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline
project
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Squamish and
Tsleil-Waututh Nations celebrated their sacred connection to the waters
of the Salish Sea with an historic canoe journey starting at Swáywi
(Ambleside Park) and ending at Whey-Ah-Wichen (Cates Park) where each
Nation signed a Declaration to protect the Salish Sea. The historic
Declaration marks the Nations' decision to work collaboratively to stop
the proposed expansion of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline and
increased oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea.
"The potential for an oil spill is too high for our people, our
community, and this region," said Chief Gibby Jacob, Squamish Nation.
"We are exercising our Aboriginal rights and title and will uphold our
Nation's cultural and environmental values."
With the journey, the Nations upheld their responsibility protect and
maintain their sacred connection to the waters. Paddlers from other
Coastal First Nations joined members of Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh in
the journey, and held a sacred water ceremony in front of Kinder
Morgan's Westridge Marine Terminal.
Upon arrival at Whey-Ah-Wichen, Squamish Chief Gibby Jacob and
Tsleil-Waututh Chief Justin George signed a declaration to protect the
Salish Sea.
"By signing this declaration, our Nations are calling on people from all
cultures to stand with us to protect our environment for future
generations," said Chief Justin George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation. "This
celebration reminds us all that there is room for many paddlers in one
canoe. When we paddle together, with one heart, one mind and one
spirit, great things can happen."
The event celebrated the teachings of the canoe and the unity of all
peoples. In attendance were First Nation leaders, elected officials,
and members of the general public.
Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations have publicly opposed Kinder
Morgan's pipeline project, the terminus of which is on the south shore
of Burrard Inlet in Burnaby. The expansion would more than double
current pipeline capacity, potentially resulting in one supertanker per
day entering the sensitive marine environment of Burrard Inlet.
About Squamish Nation
Composed of more than 3600 Members, the Squamish Nation is comprised of
descendants of the Coast Salish Aboriginal peoples who lived in the
present day greater Vancouver area, Gibson's landing and the Squamish
River watershed. Our society is, and always has been, organized and
sophisticated, with complex laws and rules governing all forms of
social relations, economic rights and relations with other First
Nations. We have never ceded or surrendered title to our lands, rights
to our resources or the power to make decisions within our territory.
For more information, please visit www.squamish.net.
About Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Tsleil-Waututh Nation is a progressive and vibrant Coast Salish
community of approximately 500 members located along the shores of
Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. For more information
please visit www.twnation.ca.
Image with caption: "Paddlers from Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and other Coastal First Nations perform a water ceremony in front of the Kinder Morgan's Westridge Marine Terminal. (CNW Group/Tsleil-Waututh Nation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120902_C3290_PHOTO_EN_17435.jpg
Image with caption: "Chief Bill Williams of Squamish Nation, Chief Justin George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Chief Gibby Jacob of Squamish Nation, welcome paddlers to Whey-Ah-Wichen, as Gabriel George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation dances. (CNW Group/Tsleil-Waututh Nation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120902_C3290_PHOTO_EN_17436.jpg
Image with caption: "Chief Justin George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Chief Gibby Jacob of Squamish Nation sign a historic declaration to protect the Salish Sea. (CNW Group/Tsleil-Waututh Nation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120902_C3290_PHOTO_EN_17437.jpg
SOURCE: Tsleil-Waututh Nation
