June 5: 5-6 PM: Silent Vigil Opposing the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project

2012 May 31, by Chapter Council

A group of concerned individuals announces the first of our monthly silent vigils standing with the First Nations Against Enbridge and coastal tanker traffic

When: Tuesday, June 5 from 5-6pm

Where: The Cenotaph at the Legislature, Belleville and Government, Victoria, Coast Salish Territories

Everyone welcome! Please spread this information far and wide. This will be the first in a series of vigils.

Questions? email Dorothy Field (dotter(at)seaside(dot)net)

Background

http://canadians.org/energy/issues/tarsands/index.html

Northern Alberta’s tar sands are home to an estimated 173 billion barrels of recoverable bitumen, a tar-like substance that requires intensive processing to become synthetic crude oil. There are serious social, environmental and economic consequences of tar sands development which prompts the question, boom for whom? Indigenous peoples rights are being overlooked, there are dramatic environmental impacts, water is being wasted and contaminated and market interests are being put ahead of Canadian interests. The Council of Canadians continues to support the demand for no new approvals of tar sands developments and expansions as a first step to reducing further destruction.

http://wcel.org/our-work/tar-sands-tankers-pipelines

 The Enbridge Northern Gateway project proposes two parallel 1,150-kilometre pipelines across northern BC – crossing hundreds of important fish-bearing rivers and streams. One pipeline would carry an estimated 525,000 barrels a day of crude oil from the Alberta tar sands to Kitimat, BC; the second pipeline would carry 150,000 barrels a day of condensate in the other direction. The proposed pipeline and tanker routes pass through the territories of many First Nations. Numerous BC First Nations oppose these plans.

http://pipeupagainstenbridge.ca/

If built, the Northern Gateway Pipeline would cross the territories of more than 50 First Nations groups. West of the Rocky Mountains, few First Nations have signed treaties with the Crown. Their rights and title to their traditional territories has been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. Currently, the Northern Gateway Pipeline is opposed by the nine Coastal First Nations, as well as many of the inland First Nation along the pipeline route.In March 2010, the Coastal First Nations signed a declaration stating that “tar sands oil will not be allowed to transit our traditional lands and waters.” Other First Nations groups, including the Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council and Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, have been instrumental in efforts to stop the Northern Gateway Pipeline.