After Dakota pipeline battle, Indigenous people say they share "unprecedented unity" By Elizabeth McSheffrey in News, Energy | September 12th 2016
Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation in B.C., and Hereditary
Chief Phil Lane Jr. protest the pipelines during the Totem Pole Journey
across western North America in September 2016. Photo by Nancy Bleck.
"The struggle to stop these projects has been carved forever into
their memories, but as of last Monday, it has also been carved into the
journey of a wooden totem pole that travelled more than 8,000 kilometres
from the Lummi Nation in Bellingham, Wash. to the heart of Treaty One
territory in Winnipeg."
"The totem pole, measuring 22 feet in length, made stops along the way at various Indigenous-led movements against fossil fuel expansion in North America, with the goal of recruiting more partners in the climate change battle, and strengthening alliances between Indigenous tribes, advocacy groups, and community leaders that support the cause."
"And today, precisely one week after the conclusion of its remarkable journey, First Nations leaders in Canada say the initiative has been incredibly effective, and Indigenous people across North America are sharing "unprecedented unity" when it comes to protecting their culture, livelihood, and sovereignty. It's generating a powerful and influential force that is suddenly impacting the future of every major resource project across the continent, and beyond, Indigenous leaders say."
"The totem pole, measuring 22 feet in length, made stops along the way at various Indigenous-led movements against fossil fuel expansion in North America, with the goal of recruiting more partners in the climate change battle, and strengthening alliances between Indigenous tribes, advocacy groups, and community leaders that support the cause."
"And today, precisely one week after the conclusion of its remarkable journey, First Nations leaders in Canada say the initiative has been incredibly effective, and Indigenous people across North America are sharing "unprecedented unity" when it comes to protecting their culture, livelihood, and sovereignty. It's generating a powerful and influential force that is suddenly impacting the future of every major resource project across the continent, and beyond, Indigenous leaders say."
The Totem Pole Journey
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| Photos by Nancy Bleck |
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| photo by Nancy Bleck |
