Enbridge Pipeline Hearings, Dispatch #2: Smithers, BC Says "No" to Enbridge Oil
January 16th, 2012
© Ardea Films 2012. By Brian Huntington for Friends of Wild Salmon
On Monday morning in Smithers, temperatures dropped to minus 30. And yet to greet people at the door for the Smithers’ Joint Review Panel hearing, members of community-based Friends of Morice-Bulkley stood in the frigid temperatures with their banner – "We say 'NO' to Enbridge oil". The message was repeated throughout the day.
"We’re not going anywhere. Our land is what keeps us healthy – spiritually, mentally and physically,” started off Wet’suwet’en Darlene Glaim of the Gitdumden clan.
After starting the hearings with drummers and singing, the Wet’suwet’en presented throughout the day to the Joint Review Panel. Stories filled the room with repeated statements that the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project can not co-exist with Wet’suwet’en laws. Not only do the Wet’suwet’en continue to rely on salmon, moose, berries and other food from the land, their governance revolves around a feast system. Without being able to hold feasts, they would lose their ability to pass on names and Chief positions.
An oil pipeline spill for First Nations in the healthy watersheds of Wet’suwet’en territory would be devastating. Clean water and wild salmon sustain many of us who live here. As Adam Gagnon pointed out - “the river is who we are”.
The Wet’suwet’en, whose rights and title were recognized in the Delgamuukw-Gisdayaway case, have said 'no' to Enbridge’s Tar Sands pipeline and tanker project since it was proposed. Chief Kloum Khun ended his presentation looking toward Enbridge’s Janet Holder, Paul Stanway and legal team, and asked them –
“What part of ‘no’ doesn’t Enbridge understand? This pipeline is not going through Wet’suwet’en territory.”
Nikki is Senior Energy Campaigner with ForestEthics, and a Smithers resident
Well over 300 people attended this hearing; in the Spring, many more will speak out during open community hearings, also in Smithers.
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I went home that night feeling proud of my hometown – it’s not just the remarkable place we live in that nourishes us, it’s the remarkable people. We know what’s at stake and will not be bullied.
