Approximately 100 people marched through downtown in opposition to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline on Saturday.
The rally was organized by the Yinke Dene Alliance, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and Sea to Sands Conservation Alliance. In addition, members of the Dogwood Initiative were gathering signatures in support of a citizens initiative -similar to the anti-HST petition -to block the proposed pipeline.
"We're uniting our voices in opposition to this project. Together, we will beat this project," Yinke Dene Alliance organizer Jasmine Thomas said.
The Yinke Dene Alliance is made up of the Nadleh Whut'en, Nak'azdli, Takla Lake, Saik'uz, Wet'suwet'en and Tl'azt'en First Nations, she said. The six First Nations have traditional territory along the proposed pipeline route and are concerned about the potential for a catastrophic oil spill, the cumulative impact development and climate change, she said.
"This isn't just a First Nations issue. This isn't just an environmental issue. Folks from all walks of life are concerned," Thomas said. "[It effects] anyone who depends on clean water and a healthy climate."
The protest was one of 60 rallies held across Canada as part of a national day of action on climate change. According to Vancouver Sun reports, more than 1,000 people attended an anti-Enbridge rally on Sunset Beach in Vancouver.
The federal government is expected to announce its ruling on the proposed 1,177 km twin pipeline from Alberta's oil sands to Kitimat. The pipeline would transport oil from Alberta to a marine terminal in Kitimat, and condensate -a chemical used to treat crude oil for transport -from the terminal to Alberta.
Thomas said the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's joint review panel process has failed to recognize First Nations right and title in the region.
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Tribal Chief Terry Teegee said researchers are increasingly raising the alarm about climate change and environmental degradation.
"As human beings what we're doing has had a detrimental effect on the environment. Climate change is real, and that is what this is about," Teegee said. "What will [future generations] say about us, about our generation, and what we do or don't do? It's incumbent on our people and the citizens of B.C. and Canada to say we want to do something about it."
Globally it is often indigenous people and people of developing nations -people who live close to the land -who are being impacted by climate change the most, he said.
"It's a critical time, we must band together," Teegee said. "We're saying to the governments of B.C. and Canada they have a responsibility to keep our water clean; to keep our air clean; and to keep our lands clean."
Tristan Powell, local organizer for the Dogwood Initiative's anti-Enbridge petition, said B.C. residents can stop the proposed pipeline by forcing a vote in the provincial legislature. The Dogwood Initiative is currently collecting signatures and contact information for people ahead of an official citizen's initiative petition.
Under Elections B.C. rules, the petition organizers will only have 90 days to collect signatures from 10 per cent of registered voters in each riding. Powell said the goal of collecting signatures ahead of time is to make it easier to track down supporters once the official beings.
In Prince George's two ridings organizers already have 20 per cent of the 15 per cent of voters organizers are targeting, he added. Organizers in six ridings have already got tentative support from 15 per cent of voters in their areas.
"It's an opportunity to have a vote on this," Powell said. "We're hoping to never have to use this. We're hoping the First Nations legal challenges will stop this."
Powell said it's important for people to realize that they are not alone in their opposition to the pipeline, and it doesn't mean you are antidevelopment.
"We need to normalize opposition to this pipeline. It's okay to be against it," he said.
Sea to Sands Conservation Alliance member Mary MacDonald said she's concerned about the state of the world her young son will live in.
"If we let this Enbridge pipeline [happen]... it could be really scary for our watersheds," she said. "It's definitely going to be a disaster on the climate change front. We are ultimately all inhabitants of this beautiful planet, and if we don't protect it nobody else will."
