106th Year - Week 47
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
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Protesters say no to Enbridge
PM 40007014
Money raised to date:
$215,620
By Ryan Jensen
GOAL
$400,000 Please support the Smithers Rotary Auction Nov. 20 & 21. Part of the proceeds will benefit Smithers’ New Arena project.
WARMING UP Art Gallery hosts annual fundraiser.
A&E/A19
BEST IN BV Three Smithers teams advance to provincials.
SPORTS/B3&4
INSIDE LETTERS A7 COMMUNITY A9 OUR TOWN A15 SPORTS B1 THREE RIVERS C1 CLASSIFIEDS C4
Smithers/Interior News
Bulkley Valley opponents of Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline project stood united in Smithers Saturday, joining a chorus of similar voices from across Canada. About 400 people took to the streets, marching down Main Street to Husky Park beside Highway 16 where members of the community sang and read speeches. The rally and march was one of more than 130 affiliated events held at locations across the country as part of the Defend our Climate, Defend our Communities’ day of action. Adam Gagnon opened the Smithers protest by singing Wet’suwet’en Warrior. “Our timber’s all taken, our rivers dammed and diverted,” he sang. “Oil companies deal and bargain for the rights to destroy the land. “Tomorrow’s dawn rises early as we await and take our place. The land and people will remember how we lived and died with grace.” Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’moks asked those gathered to use their voice in the right way and to work together to oppose Northern Gateway. “I can’t express how proud I am to have us all together today,” he said.
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks leads the procession of protesters down Main Street on Saturday. The Smithers rally and march was part of the national Defend our Climate, Defend our Communities’ day of action.
Ryan Jensen photo
“You hear the sound of the drum? That’s the sound of our heart, it makes us one. “We often forget that tomorrow we depend on what we have today. That’s why today is special. We have to protect what we have today for tomorrow and the day after and the centuries after. It
can’t be a corporation that runs your life, it must be your heart. “If you don’t protect it, who will? If you don’t stand up and speak on behalf of the land, the water, the fish, the animals — who will?” Phil Brienesse, Smithers councillor, spoke on behalf of the town. He said people across the
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province are aware of the project and many are standing behind those who are in opposition to Enbridge’s plan. “Your town is behind you, your council is behind you but that’s not just it,” Brienesse said. “There’s this whole group of people here and we’re not the only community that
has chosen to oppose the Enbridge pipeline. The Wet’suwet’en nation, the councils in Terrace and Prince Rupert have passed resolutions.” Brienesse said he was one of four councillors who publicly proclaimed their position against Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline during an
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all-candidates’ forum prior to the last municipal election. Once elected, the council then passed a resolution saying the Town of Smithers is officially against the project. “It’s time we start changing. We can do it better,” Brienesse finished. See MARCH on A3
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