Say the Names...

Al Purdy wrote a wonderful poem called "Say the names say the names" which celebrates the names of Canadian rivers - Tulameen, Kleena Kleene, Similkameen, Nahanni, Kluane and on and on in a celebratory song.

Enbridge is planning to build a dual pipeline that will carry bitumen and condensate across hundreds of waterways between Edmonton and Kitimat. Some of these waterways are rivers like the Parsnip (or what's left of it), the Nechako, the Morice and others are smaller creeks whose names are often known only to the folks who live along their banks or who fish in their shadows or who bend to wash or drink as they cross paths.

I want to collect the names of these rivers and creeks, to collect your stories, your poems, your songs so we can collectively give voice to the land living under the line Enbridge plans to draw.

People have also sent me copies of their presentations to the community oral presentations. If you'd like to add your voice, email me (sheila.peters900@gmail.com) your stories and I'll post them for you. The copyright remains with you.

All the best.
Sheila Peters

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Stay strong

The following note was sent out to members of Friends of Morice-Bulkley this evening  - thanks to them for keeping us focused.

Dear Friends of Morice-Bulkley,

It is the eve of the Joint Review Panel’s recommendation to Cabinet regarding Enbridge Northern Gateway. They are set to release their report at 1:30 pm tomorrow, December 19. This is an important moment in our work to stop this pipeline but it is not the end. 

No matter what the JRP says, Enbridge does not have social license or First Nations approval. For the people of BC, nothing changes: we have clearly expressed our opposition to the pipeline, tankers on the coast and the threat of bitumen spills. First Nations have formally banned pipelines from their territories and tankers from their seas.
 
A yes recommendation, with conditions, wouldn’t be a surprise. The NEB has a record of approving almost every project brought before it and it is clear that industry lobbyists have undermined this review process. 

You have all done incredible work to give this movement the strength that it has. From marching in the streets, to writing letters, to testifying in front of the JRP, it is your stories and your passion for this place that has created a province-wide movement of opposition. 

In Smithers, 119 residents opened their hearts to the JRP and shared their love for their homes and their passion for protecting it. To revisit those moments, or if you weren’t there and want to be inspired by the powerful testimony of your friends and neighbours, here are a few links to the transcripts: 

 
We will be paying close attention to the release of the report tomorrow and following up with you. Until then...
Best,
FOMB Steering Committee

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