Getting the No Enbridge Message Out in Skidegate

Artists and community came together in Skidegate recently to create a colourful sign with a clear message: “Haida Gwaii United Against Enbridge.”  An impromptu session, the painting was sparked by a group of individuals disheartened by Harper’s recent approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline. The group got the materials together to get started and artists Corey Bulpitt, Fanny Aishaa, and Rob Geary heard about it and volunteered to help out. With the support of the Skidegate Youth Centre space, the artists led participants in the design and spray painting of the banner. The Haida Gwaii Against Enbridge banner saw it’s first public appearance in the march at Hospital Days in Queen Charlotte.

Nations United Against Enbridge T-shirt Campaign Launched at All Native Basketball Tournament

The Haida delegation at this year’s All Native Basketball Tournament brought T-Shirts with them promoting unity amongst First Nations on the coast. Members of Haida Gwaii CoASt screen printed the Tees in Masset to get a strong message out that we don’t want the pollution of our waters brought on by supertankers.

Watch for more T-Shirt and sticker campaigns in the upcoming months.  Let’s get the word out that we don’t need tarsands bitumen travelling through our waters. We want healthy salmon, killerwhales and people!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Haida Gwaii CoASt thinks JRP recommendation is shameful, but not surprising

HAIDA GWAII: Haida Gwaii CoASt is disappointed that the JRP approved Enbridge’s pipeline that would bring oil supertankers to Northern BC. Island communities came together to participate in the hearings and almost 200 spoke directly to the panel. Every single speaker stated his or her vehement opposition to Enbridge’s proposal for countless different reasons.

Haida Gwaii relies heavily on wild foods from the ocean and land. An oil spill puts all of that at risk and Island communities are not prepared to accept that risk. Haida Gwaii communities – both Haida and non-Haida – hold strong stewardship values. With a tradition of working together, we are committed to protecting our home from unsustainable, large-scale development projects. This was very clear at the JRP hearings – the Islands are strong and united against the Northern Gateway. Enbridge does not have social license for this project.

“The Panel’s recommendation doesn’t reflect our values. This whole project is absurd from start to finish – it’s totally destructive. We will not allow oil supertankers through our waters and we’re not backing down”, declared Gwaai Edenshaw.

“’The Haida Nation is the rightful heir to Haida Gwaii. Our culture is born of respect; and intimacy with the land and sea and the air around us. Like the forests, the roots of our people are intertwined such that the greatest troubles cannot overcome us. We owe our existence to Haida Gwaii.’ That’s from the preamble of our Constitution and that says it all,” explained April Churchill, former Vice-President of the Haida nation. “We have love and respect for Haida Gwaii, the Earth, and all of its beings. We will persevere in unity.” 

Contacts

Haida Gwaii CoASt Spokesperson, April Churchill:
250.559.2332 | aprilvictoriachurchill@gmail.com

Haida Gwaii CoASt Spokesperson, Gwaai Edenshaw:
778.828.9165 | haidaart@mac.com

Andrew Nikiforuk to Speak in Haida Gwaii May 24, 25

“Andrew Nikiforuk is one of the most astute, relentless and original writers of his generation.”

The Haida Gwaii Arts Council is pleased to host readings by Andrew Nikiforuk this weekend!

Everyone’s welcome–come out and hear from his new book, The Energy of Slaves. 

Skidegate – Haida Heritage Centre

Friday, May 24 starting at 7.30pm

Old Massett – Youth Centre

Saturday, May 25 starting at 7.30pm

If anyone would like to join Mr. Nikiforuk for dinner at Charters before the Masset reading, please RSVP before Friday: haidagwaiicoast@gmail.com

Haida Nation Grills Enbridge at the NEB Hearings in Edmonton

An excerpt from the Haida Gwaii Observer:

“The Haida Nation grilled Enbridge executives and pipeline experts with questions about the price of oil, how much money the federal government stands to make and which First Nations are in favour of the pipeline during final hearings for the Northern Gateway project last week in Edmonton. Council of the Haida Nation president Guujaaw and lawyer Terri Lynn Williams Davidson spoke on behalf of the Haida Nation at the Sept. 20 session.

Guujaaw began his questions by asking about prices for crude oil, and how they would be affected by the proposed pipeline, which would carry tar sands oil to Kitimat for transport to markets in the Far East.

Think Tankers: Riki Ott Speaks About the Exxon Valdez Spill in Haida Gwaii

Want to know more about what happened in Alaska when the Exxon Valdez Spilled a supertanker of oil?  How about what’s going on now?  Come and see Riki Ott speak in Masset and Charlotte about her own experiences with clean-up and as an “incidental activist.”  This event is supported by CoASt and the TBuck Suzuki Foundation.

 

Queen Charlotte

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 7:00 pm
Queen B’s Cafe, 3208 Wharf Street

Masset

Thursday, August 16, 2012 7:00 pm
The Haven, Harrison Ave (above Green Gaia)

Download the poster HG Think Tankers.