The event, “Many Paddles One Canoe” will take place in the afternoon from 3-5 p.m. on March 4, 2017, at Simon Frasier University Woodwards, 149 W. Hastings Street in Vancouver, BC. It is being hosted by RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values & Environmental Needs).
The event is being described as an “afternoon of inspiration and action” against Kinder-Morgan’s pipeline and tanker projects. Besides listening to well-known environmentalist, Bill McKibben, an author, and the founder of 350.org, everyone in attendance will also get to hear powerful messages by Chief Jackie Thomas, Saik’uz First Nation Yinka Dene Alliance: Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs: Jess Housty, Heiltsuk Nation Councillor: and Cedar George-Parker, with the Tsleil-Waututh and Tulalip Nations.
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Many people might not realize this, but this event is being held on unceded and occupied territory of the Musqueam Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Musqueam means “people of the river grass.” Tsleil-Waututh means “people of the inlet,” whose traditional territory is the Burrard Inlet. Both are descendants of the Coast Salish culture and speak Halkomelem.
Bill McKibben on the need for involvement in the cause
“As Donald Trump dismantles decades of progress on climate action and Indigenous rights, it is more important than ever for the rest of the world to keep fossil fuels in the ground,” McKibben wrote in a message to subscribers of 350.org emails over the weekend, reports Straight.com.
To that end, McKibben advocates that everyone with any concern for the environment needs to support “Indigenous-led resistance against Big Oil,” not only in the U.S. but in Canada. “As I see it, pulling together is what it’s really about at this point in the game. First Nations standing up to the fossil fuel industry in Canada are some of the strongest and most dedicated organizers anywhere.”
The Trudeau government approved Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline in November 2016, according to Digital Journal. Since that time, eight legal challenges to the pipeline have been filed, with the latest challenge coming from the Living Oceans Society and Raincoast Conservation organization in December.
