Trans Mountain wants to put a pipeline through this sacred site
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Hear from Secwépemc community members
Hi Paov,
My heart sank when I heard the news. The industry-captured Canadian Energy Regulator granted the federally-owned Trans Mountain pipeline permission to dig through the heart of Pipsell, or Jacko Lake, near Kamloops.
It infuriated Secwépemc elders, hereditary leaders and community members who have long opposed pipeline construction of any kind through their territories and say the nation has never given its consent. It also broke a promise made to Stk’emlupsemc te Secwépemc who made a trenchless crossing of their most sacred site a condition of an agreement with the company.
Hear their stories and efforts to protect Pipsell at a webinar on Dec. 7 at 6 PM.
You may remember the area around Jacko Lake from the fight over Ajax Mine, which united Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Kamloops to oppose a copper and gold mine there. Secwépemc peoples’ creation story centres around Pipsell and it holds... “profound spiritual and cultural significance” for the nation.
Join us on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 PM for a webinar featuring speakers from Secwépemc and neighbouring nations who will share more about the importance of this sacred site. We’ll feature Secwepemc activists Mike McKenzie, April Thomas, Shawna Knight and elders, as well as Rainbow Eyes, who was involved in Fairy Creek land defense. They will let us know about plans to protect Pipsell and what you can do to help.
Trans Mountain may be proceeding without the consent of affected First Nations, but that doesn’t mean it should be allowed to desecrate this sacred place. It already agreed to drill beneath Pipsell but decided honouring that agreement would put its construction schedule in jeopardy. There is no excuse for violating Indigenous rights; prioritizing arbitrary timelines is a particularly poor one. Let’s stand with the Secwépemc against this injustice. Hope to see you there!
For the climate,
Peter McCartney Climate Campaigner
Wilderness Committee
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