In this day and age, we are all interconnected

I have lived on the North Coast a great majority of my life – everything here is very much a part of me and who I am as a proud British Columbian.  I originate from the community of Gingolx, BC, also known as Kincolith. It is one of four Nisga’a villages in the Nass Valley.  My homeland is the one of the most serene places you’ll ever see.  The Nisga’a Government, not too long ago, joined the opposition to Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.  This was not proclaimed just for the sake of doing so, but in continued stewardship of our bountiful land and waters that still provide for us today and will continue to do so on into the future.  When I think of how my Nation stands with all others when it comes down to protecting and securing the future of this coast, I am undeniably grateful.  It is my belief that, where there is unity, nothing is impossible.
Life on the coast, is not just a story, it’s an ongoing testimony of our bounty and of an astonishing sense of belonging that you just cannot get anywhere else.  I love that we, as in all of us on the coast, can still enjoy the abundance of seafood that is still very graciously provided to us from our clean and bountiful waters.  For a great many of us, it is our mainstay, and we infinitely depend upon it.

© Mike Ambach – Skeena River

 
In listening to the JRP Hearings in the last while, it is my own opinion that there is a common message that is being sent out, not just to the JRP or to Enbridge but to all those who will be affected in detriment of this proposed pipeline through BC’s North Coast.
We, as a collective of people, meaning absolutely everyone no matter who you are, we all stand together in voicing our concern on behalf of one another, for our families, our communities and more importantly our coast on potential impacts this proposed pipeline will have on the Great Bear Rainforest / Sea and on all of our lives.
In my view, it is not just the native communities that thrive off the affluence of seafood but that of all British Columbians whose livelihood also depends on the resources, be it on land, or water.  There is no uncertainty here when being respectfully defensive of the areas of which we live. The message is very clear; We as BC’s North Coast people are on the same page when it comes down to protecting our future.
There is no price tag large enough to compensate for what could be lost.  Yes, economic ventures and employment is a benefit, however, it’s not guaranteed. In the long-term, it means nothing when the land is of no use, the water polluted and resources dwindled down into pure nothingness.  Money comes and money goes just like that, snap of a finger and it’s gone but the land, water and resources are forever.
Where land meets land and water meets water, we are all interconnected.  The time is now, this is a peoples’ movement in safe-guarding the future for those yet unborn, securing a future for our wildlife, marine animals, and our forests.  This is our stance, for all the beauty and bounty, for “our” way of life on the coast.  It’s a heartbreaking feeling to even contemplate what an oil spill could do to our beautiful and pristine home.  This is where we live – why even give it a chance?
I encourage you to take some time and listen in on the JRP Hearings via internet audio-cast to hear for yourself the many strong voices that stand unified with one common goal of protecting our beautiful coast.  We all have our own views, we all have our own stories to share and we all believe in a sustainable future.
To see a schedule of Community Hearings for Oral Statements, click here.