Pacific Islanders travel to the tar sands & ask for meeting with Trudeau (May 8-16)
I'm excited let you all know about an ICA, 350.org and Pacific Warrior tour that will begin next week May 8th in Alberta, ending in Vancouver on May 16th. The delegation of the people of the Pacific Islands have been calling for countries like Canada to stop digging up fossil fuels. This is especially true of Alberta's tar sands, one of the worlds dirtiest fuel sources. Despite their calls for action, echoed by our own here in Alberta, world leaders continue to support the expansion of the oil and gas industry -- just like Justin Trudeau and Rachel Notley are doing with the tar sands.
We were all witness to the devastating forest fires last summer, followed by floods, and high temperatures resulting in major impacts of major water ways, including the Athabasca River, the lifeline of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and neighbouring communities. All of these symptoms of the changing climate, something my brothers and sisters in the Pacific Islands know all too well, where rising sea levels threaten their homes, communities and cultures.
I am proud to partner with 350.org to have ICA host this delegation of Pacific Climate Warriors to deliver their messages of resilience to the people and politicians of Canada.
The trip will begin in my traditional territory and in the community of Fort Chipewyan, AB. There the pacific warriors will meet with the ACFN leadership and community member who have been at the forefronts of resisting expansion of Tar Sands into our traditional territory. Then, the delegation will travel to British Columbia’s coast -- to the terminal of the Kinder Morgan pipeline -- where we will pull together with Coast Salish First Nations in prayer and ceremony to honour our waters and lands.
Visit the website to follow our journey and to see the full details on how you can join in.
This visit will also include stops in Edmonton and Vancouver where you can come out and here local Indigenous voices standing side by side with our Indigenous brothers and sisters from the South. Join US.
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