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Smithers tells JRP they don’t want pipeline By Dan Mesec Smithers / Interior News
Just as Chief Gyologit (Darleane Glaim) echoed a resounding no from the Wet’suwet’en during intervener hearings in January, Smithers residents showed their solidarity against the Northern Gateway Project by reflecting the same message to the Joint Review Panel last week. “I and my family are not interested in having a pipeline or tanker traffic coming through my backyard,” David
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Anderson said, the first of 120 speakers to present to the JRP in Smithers. As the hearings began April 23, the convention center at the Hudson Bay Lodge was silent and packed to the walls. The majority of the audience was in clear opposition to the pipeline, as cheers and applause rang out after each speaker firmly expressed their disagreement to Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. On the fourth day of hearings, the JRP
listened to concerns from Youth for a Better World, a student organization at Smithers Secondary. Laura Anderson, Arctica Cunningham and Skeena Lawson, representing the majority of students who oppose the pipeline, said they didn’t want others making decisions that would greatly affect their futures, along with consequences that are sure to follow. “We will not wait around for the adults of the nation to destroy our future, living and dealing with the consequences of
their actions during our lifetime,” said Anderson. Cunningham finished her presentation by pleading with the JRP to listen and hear what people have been saying to them and to make the right decision for all Canadians. Although the JRP hearings have been met with controversy over the legitimacy of the process, speakers continued to urge the panel not to give in to political pressure and to show the country that they are an independent body.
“The Prime Minister of Canada and one of his ministers, Joe Oliver, already made their statements,” said Chief Namoks (John Ridsdale), of the Wet’suwet’en. “They [JRP panel] need to listen to us. You must remember the Wet’suwet’en have never given away their authority on the land. We don’t intend to.” Chief Namoks continued to say he was very proud of the people of Smithers for standing up and making their voices heard with
passion and with heart during the precedings last week. “When you stand there and your quality of life is threatened, you speak from the heart and the speakers this week spoke from the heart,” he said. “The words they said were true.” Smithers hosts some of the strongest opposition to the pipeline and it was very prevalent during last weeks hearings with countless stories about the connection people have to the land here.
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