Many UCV members came to listen to and march with Indigenous supporters of the Wet’suwet’en people who are defending their land by opposing construction of a gas pipeline by TransCanada Coastal GasLink.
The Solidarity Action with Wet’suwet’en took place on Tuesday Jan 8, 11:30 in Vancouver. Similar rallies and marches took place locally, nationally and internationally.
Supporters followed the Indigenous led march from the Provincial Courts Building to Victory Square.
Above: Connecting to the environments in which we play. — Image from The Radicals
Whether you are a longtime environmentalist concerned about oil tankers and other issues, a social justice activist supporting First Nations concerns — or if you know nothing about these topics and feel now is a good time to start learning — the Environment Team is hosting three upcoming events for you!
RAVEN PEOPLE RISING
Saturday January 19th, 2019
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location the Sanctuary
This is a film screening, fundraiser and discussion with Heiltsuk Nation members about their court challenge to enshrine governance of their homelands and waters into law.
With the Unist’ot’en conflict in the news every day, hearing about the Heiltsuk case is relevant and important for us to gain an understanding of Indigenous issues in BC and Canada.
The RADICALS — by Beyond Boarding
Friday February 15, 2019
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location the Sanctuary
The RADICALS is a documentary film that follows four snowboarders and surfers driven to become social and environmental stewards through their connection with the environments in which they play.
Follow them as they show the Tahltan fight for the Sacred Headwaters, BC Hydro’s destruction of salmon waters in Xwísten territory, art as resilience on Haida Gwaii, and a coastal uprising against fish farms off the coast of Vancouver Island. Each Indigenous community teaches the athletes to understand what it means to be truly Radical.
Following the success of the fall 2018 Inter-generational Dinner, we are holding another gathering.
This time the topic: Lessons Learned When Things Went Wrong.
Come join us in Hewett Hall for dinner (courtesy once again of UBC Community Eats). We will follow dinner with stories from some seasoned environmental and social justice activists as they talk of lessons learned from past campaigns. This is a great chance to make new connections, share stories, and learn from their experiences.
Above: Unitarians stand with the Tsleil-Waututh to stop Kinder Morgan’s diluted bitumen pipeline and tanker project. The rally took place at the ancient village site of Whey-ah-Wichen in what is now Cates Park, North Vancouver
At least 12 Vancouver (and Victoria) Unitarians gathered with hundreds of water protectors and families from across the Salish Sea to support the Protect the Inlet Flotilla on Saturday, July 14, 2018.
The flotilla of canoes and kayaks gathered and paddle together from the ancient village site of Whey-ah-Wichen, or Cates Park, North Vancouver, across the Slilwat or Burrard Inlet, to the razor-wire fence that Kinder Morgan had erected in the water without consent.
Tsleil Waututh elder, Ta’ah Amy George, led a water ceremony.
Back in Slilwat/Cates Park, chiefs and other First Nations activists from across BC waited for the flotilla and celebrated their return with shared stories, songs, dances, and inspiring words.
Above: Second from right, guest speaker Ernest Alfred elected band counsellor and a teacher for Indigenous language and culture from Alert Bay, descending from the ‘Namgis, Mamalilikala and Tawit’sis First Nations
February 16, 2018
An educational event on wild salmon was held, February 16, at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver on unceded Musqueam land. More than $8300 was raised to support wild salmon and coastal First Nations calling for the urgent removal of open-net fish farms. Importantly, we also raised awareness, inspiration, hope, knowledge and commitment – to do more.
The evening began with an entrance into the Sanctuary following traditional coastal First Nations protocol. Visitors declare who they are and request permission to land (or enter) the territory of their host. Cecilia Point representing the Musqueam First Nation welcomed the visitors with drumming and song. She then lead the visitors in a grand procession to the front of the chapel.
Speakers for the evening were Cecilia Point, Ernest Alfred, Julia McIntyre-Smith and Dr. David Suzuki. Musical entertainment by Barry Truter, Michael Averill and the Re:Sisters. The entire evening was recorded and well worth watching more than once.
You’ll find event highlights below, with photos and bios of speakers and musicians. Thank you to all !
Vancouver Unitarians in Solidarity with Treaty 8 First Nations and Farmers in the Peace River Valley
On July 8th, 2017, several members of the congregation attended Paddle for the Peace –Vancouver in Vanier Park, Kitsilano, to support the 12th Annual Paddle for the Peace celebration in the beautiful Peace River Valley, in northeastern British Columbia.
The Vanier Park event provided an opportunity for Metro Vancouver residents to show solidarity with Treaty 8 First Nations and farmers opposed to the Site C Dam — an $8 billion project that would flood an 80 kilometre stretch of the Peace River Valley.
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