On September 19th at 10:00, join us for the Paddle to the Premier and help stop the Site C dam!
 
Early this summer I was lucky enough to paddle down the Peace River. I witnessed first hand the spectacular beauty of the valley: a crystal clear river snaking through hills covered in old-growth forests on one side and rolling farmland on the other.

Small islands dot the river, perfect habitat for deer and moose to give birth free from predators.

I had the privilege of participating in the Paddle for the Peace, an annual event to celebrate the beauty of the Peace River, and to honour what would be lost if the valley is flooded. I met with First Nations leaders and elders who have already seen the impact the first two dams had on their traditional ways of sustenance: changes in wildlife migration routes, flooding of important ungulate feeding and calving grounds, impacts on the threatened bull trout and arctic grayling.

During my visit, I stayed in the home of Ken and Arlene Boon, one of the many families who will be impacted if the Site C Dam is built. Arlene’s family has been on the farm for three generations. Her grandfather was part of the original fight against B.C. Hydro 30 years ago, and was one of the people who never sold his land. Arlene told me about how he used to chase B.C. Hydro off his property with a shotgun. Arlene doesn’t resort to that, but her and Ken are part of the core of local residents that are committed to fighting this project.

The local opposition to this project is fierce, and across the provincial concern from environmental groups like the Wilderness Committee is mounting. This groundswell of opposition is culminating in events next week, with the grand finale on September 19th right here in Victoria called the Paddle to the Premier: Stop the Site C Dam.

The rally will be a powerful end to the week’s events concerning Site C. On September 16-17 First Nations leaders, from across BC, Alberta and the Northwest Territories will gather for a leadership summit to address the Site C issue. Following the summit, buses and vans filled with concerned members of the local community will be leaving Fort St. John and be making the 30 hour journey to Victoria to make a stand against the project. Treaty 8 First Nations join with farmers and ranchers who will be impacted by the flooding with then paddle down the Gorge Waterway in a tribute to similar First Nations activism against hydro-electric projects.

Speakers at the event will include Elder Gerry Attachie from the Doig River First Nations, whose grandfather signed the original Treaty with government almost 100 years ago. Ken and Arlene Boon will speak about their family’s three-generation fight against the dam that will displace them from their home and their business. Renowned environmentalist David Suzuki will speak about the devastating impact this dam will have on the natural environment.

On September 19th, please join us on the lawn of the Legislature for this historic event. It is critical that people in Victoria stand with the people of Fort St John to say NO to this project. We have enough electricity and we have enough rivers in pipes and behind dams. Let’s keep the Peace flowing and free.

Thank You for Taking Action

Tria Donaldson | Pacific Coast Campaigner
Wilderness Committee

Photo by Graham Osbourne