Members of the WSANEC first nations communities on the Saanich Peninsula used WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 National Aboriginal Day to reaffirm their opposition to liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in the Saanich Inlet.
Elders from the Tseycum, Tsartlip, Pauquachin and Tsawout first nations gathered with non-aboriginal supporters on June 21 for a Paddle and Potluck event that started with a mass kayak and canoe trip across the Inlet. Setting off from the Tsartlip boat ramp near Brentwood Bay, the flotilla of more than 50 small craft set off across the Saanich Inlet to Bamberton, where they would turn around and head back to attend a potluck meal at the Tseycum longhouse in North Saanich.
Tsartlip Chief Don Tom addressed the crowd that gathered at the boat ramp and reiterated his stance on the proposed Steelhead LNG plant and floating loading dock. He and the chiefs of the three other WSANEC communities invoked their treaty rights tte Saanich Inlet in March 2016, declaring their opposition to the Steelhead LNG proposal.
B次元官网网址淲e are opposed to the tanker traffic and we are opposed to the floating LNG facility,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his has no place here in the inlet. This is liquefied frak gas, leave it in the ground.B次元官网网址�
Tom said people have the responsibility to look after the land B次元官网网址� especially those who live within the WSANEC community.
B次元官网网址淭his land, these waters, have taken care of us for generations, and we must do your part to ensure we look after it as much as it as looked after us.B次元官网网址�
Tom added the support shown at the Aboriginal Day event encourages his community to continue the fight.
B次元官网网址淲e are all opposed to Steelhead LNG. This project will not happen as long as we are here.B次元官网网址�
Paddler and North Saanich resident Sharon Forrester says people should do everything they can to protect the Inlet from the Steelhead LNG proposal.
B次元官网网址淲e can get out to different parts of the Inlet,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淢ore boat traffic would certainly be a threat. If the marine environment is threatened, we lose this clean water. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why IB次元官网网址檓 here.B次元官网网址�
Tom added the day was a beautiful one to recognize first nationsB次元官网网址� ancestry and Douglas Treaty rights around the Saanich Inlet.
Pauquachin Chief Rebecca Harris said the strength and unity shown on Wednesday will help protect their homeland against local LNG development.
B次元官网网址淚 want to raise my hands up to everyone today and thank you for the support,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 show Steelhead weB次元官网网址檙e in strong opposition today.B次元官网网址�
Other local elders vowed to protect the Inlet by any means necessary against LNG project development.
The Paddle and Potluck was organized by local WSANEC elders, the Saanich Inlet Network and Pacifica Paddle Sports.
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