Stop KM: Thousands expected to rally in Vancouver March 10

Indigenous Leaders from Across North America to Stand in Solidarity with Coast

Salish Water Protectors to Stop Kinder Morgan Pipeline

Thousands expected to rally in Vancouver on March 10

 

For Immediate Release

March 6, 2018 Vancouver - Coast Salish spiritual leaders and members are launching an

ambitious project this week to stop the Kinder Morgan pipeline and tanker project, with

Indigenous leaders from across North America making the trip to join them.

 

Indigenous leaders from Nations all along the pipeline route, from the tar sands region, and as

far away as Kanesatake (Quebec), Haida Gwaii, and the United States will be attending the

historic event on March 10th in Metro Vancouver ( https://protecttheinlet.ca/) to show the far

reaching resistance to the pipeline project.

 

"I support and believe in the work of my Chief and Council, and their choice to fight Kinder

Morgan in court. I also believe in protecting my territory, and I cannot stand by as Kinder

Morgan starts construction on our lands without consent," said Will George, spokesperson for

Kwekwecnewtxw - Protect the Inlet. "The Kinder Morgan project is not safe for our environment

or our economy. I call on all my Indigenous relations to bring their drums and regalia, and all our

allies to join us on March 10th and onward to stop Kinder Morgan."

 

"The answer is still a resounding and unequivocal no to the Kinder Morgan Trans-Mountain

Expansion. We intend to stop this unwanted and destructive project like we stopped the

Northern Gateway Pipeline and Energy East from ever seeing the light of day," stated Grand

Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. "I am looking forward to

marching with thousands of people on March 10th to send a strong message that we love the

land and love the water, and will not let Kinder Morgan trample on our rights and the

environment."

 

" I am a human being wanting to preserve the culture, traditions, and spirituality, which is our

inherent right as Indigenous people, " stated Robert Nahanee, spiritual leader and member of

the Squamish Nation. " It is our right to protect mother earth, and the laws that come from her

and that our ancestors have always followed."

 

" The time to stand up and protect our environment and uphold indigenous rights is now, " stated

Chief Bob Chamberlain, Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. " We call on our

brothers, sisters and allies to join in the fight to stop Kinder Morgan and demand that Justin

Trudeau uphold his commitments to reconciliation."

 

"This is not just a BC First Nations fight: they have the full support of the 150 Nations from

across the continent who signed the Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion in opposition

to the Kinder Morgan pipeline and any other attempt to expand the already devastating Alberta

Tar Sands, " said Grand Chief Serge ‘Otsi’ Simon of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake on

behalf the large delegation of Treaty Alliance Chiefs travelling in support of the Indigenous and

allied water protectors. " Now that climate change is upon us and only getting worse, we have

run out of time for flowery words and empty promises: it’s time for action – it’s time to stop this

pipeline. "

 

The March 10th event will mark the launch of the Kwekwecnewtxw - Protect the Inlet initiative.

Organizers are planning for a family-friendly peaceful march and rally. Coast Salish Water

Protectors have committed to protect their territory past the event. Already more than 5,000

people have signed up to attend the March 10th event, https://protecttheinlet.ca/ in Metro

Vancouver.

 

Over 200 people have volunteered to cook, marshall, and drive important guests for the March

10th gathering. There are buses full of excited participants coming from Washington State,

Victoria, Salt Spring Island, and Cowichan.

 

One day before, on March 9th at 10am PST at Simon Fraser University, organizers are holding

a press conference to release more details of the event.

 

Indigenous leaders from across North America are coming to Vancouver to support the

initiative, including the following leaders who are available for comment:

William George, Swaysǝ n: Tsleil-Waututh member and spokesperson for

Kwekwecnewtxw-Protect the Inlet. Swaysǝ n translates to when he speaks, people will listen.

Ta’ah Amy George : Tsleil-Waututh elder and grandmother. Ta’ah has been fighting Kinder

Morgan for 8 years. She is the daughter of Chief Leonard George, and the mother of Rueben

George.

Oceann Hyland : Tsleil-Waututh youth who is learning her language in defence of her land. Her

practice of language and culture has brought her to closer relationship with the territory she

defends and loves.

Grand Chief Serge ‘Otsi’ Simon: Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip: Grand Chief of the Okanagan Nation, and the President of the

Union of BC Indian Chiefs

Chief Bob Chamberlain, Owadi : Chief Councillor of the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First

Nation, which is part of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation and vice president of the Union of BC

Indian Chiefs.

Chief Phil Lane Jr.: Ihanktonwan Dakota and Chickasaw Nations

Chief Gidansda, Guujaaw : Chief of the Skedans Clan, of the village of K’uuna L’naagay of the

Haida Nation, and was the previous chief of the Council of the Haida Nation. He is a long time

advocate for respect and protection of Indigenous territory, and played a key role in the Stand at

Lyell Island.

Chief Dziggott: Hereditary Chief and President of the Office of the Wet'suwet'en

Chief Madeek: Hereditary Chief and Vice President of the Office of the Wet’suwet’en

Chief Na’Moks: Hereditary Chief of the Wet’suwet’en

Chief Jean-Charles Piétacho: Chief of the Innu Ekuanitshit First Nation

Alice Rigney - respected elder of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation

Kanahus Manuel: traditional birth keeper, traditional tattoo artist and Secwepmc warrior.

Kanahus and her community spearheaded the Tiny House Warriors: Our Land is Home,

building 10 tiny houses to place in the path of the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

Melinda Bige: Stand with Kwantlen from Treaty 8 Lut'sel'ke Dene territory in NWT

Brandon Gabriel: Stand with Kwantlen and Kwantlen First Nation renowned artist

Clayton Thomas-Müller: Member of the Pukatawagan Nation in Northern, Manitoba. He is an

activist for indigenous self-determination and environmental justice and works as the Stop It at

the Source Campaigner for 350.org Canada.

Eriel Deranger : Member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and first Executive Director

of Indigenous Climate Action. Deranger has over a decade of experience working with

environmental organizations as well as front-line Indigenous knowledge holders.

Melina Laboucan-Massimo: has worked on social, environmental and climate justice for the

past 15 years. Facing the firsthand impacts of the Alberta tar sands in her home community,

Little Buffalo, Melina has been a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental justice.

Jesse Cardinal: coordinator for Keepers of the Athabasca and a long time Indigenous activist

fighting Tar Sands and pipeline expansion

Ta’Kaiya Blanley : environmental and Indigenous rights activist, singer, songwriter, and actress

from Tla'Amin First Nation

Autumn Peltier: from Wikwemikong First Nation in northern Ontario, Autumn is a 13-year-old

Anishinaabe Water Protector whose activism against pipelines and in defence of water (Nibi)

earned her a nomination for the 2017 International Children’s Peace Prize.

Chief Kevin Hart: Manitoba Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief

Chief Darrel Bob : Xaxli’p First Nation

 

For interviews, please contact:

Will George

604-506-8761

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip

250-490-5314

Chief Bob Chamberlain

250-974-8282

For more information about the press conference and rally please contact:

Tegan Hansen

250-354-3302

media@protecttheinlet.ca