A Vision for the Valley: Biodiversity and Treaty Responsibilities
Hosted by FightC
Join us for an online conversation with Chief Roland Willson of West Moberly First Nations and Ken Boon with the Peace Valley Landowners Association. Mark International Biodiversity Day, May 22, by hearing from folks on the ground in the Peace Valley, northeast BC's own biodiversity hotspot. From the beautiful Peace Valley on Treaty 8 territories down to the unceded Coast Salish territories we call Vancouver, we need to urgently pay more attention to and work together to protect life in all its wonder and diversity. Click on this link to join using your internet browser at 10:30 am on May 22: https://bluejeans.com/553494807
Chief Roland Willson was first elected as Chief of the West Moberly First Nations in August 2000. The nation has many exciting projects such as the Twin Sisters Native Plants Nursery (https://www.twinsistersnursery.com) and caribou restoration (https://y2y.net/blog/courage-for-mountain-caribou/). Chief Willson has steadfastly worked to protect the Peace Valley from destruction by the Site C dam. The West Moberly First Nations' treaty rights case must be heard in the courts by 2023, prior to scheduled flooding of the Peace River Valley the following year: https://thenarwhal.ca/were-going-court-b-c-first-nation-to-proceed-site-c-dam-megatrial/
Ken Boon is president of the Peace Valley Landowners Association. He and his partner Arlene Boon live at Bear Flat on Highway 29 where Cache Creek enters the Peace River. Arlene is third generation on this land, and they live in her late grandfather's house. The proposed Site C reservoir, highway realignment and impact lines would destroy their best farmland and home. They are grandparents who want to help save the valley for future generations and for the world.
As engaged citizens mostly based in Vancouver, British Columbia, FightC acknowledges we are on the unceded, occupied, ancestral and traditional lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We voice our gratitude and respect for the peoples of this land, and work to be good relatives.