The Dominion - Murray Bush - Flux Photo

First Nations paddle to protect Salish Sea from pipeline plan

Miles — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:24:17 +0000

WHEY-AH-WICHEN (CATES PARK, NORTH VANCOUVER)—On September 1, a dozen First Nations canoes paddled past the the Kinder Morgan crude oil pipeline facility in Burrard Inlet. Tsleil Waututh and Squamish paddlers were joined by other First Nations from as far away as Washington State and Vancouver Island in the ceremonial trip. The Nations later signed a declaration to protect the Salish Sea from Kinder Morgan's proposal to double its pipeline capacity to the facility.

The proposed $5 billion project would push crude oil capacity to 850,000 barrels a day from the current 300,000, which would in turn stand to bring more, and bigger, tankers to Vancouver waters.

Leader after leader called for a united effort to protect the coast under the banner of "Many People—One Canoe."

Canoes Arrive at Whey-Ah-Wichen

Waiting for welcome protocols at Whey-Ah-Wichen

Canoes arrive at Whey-Ah-Wichen - Kinder Morgan pipeline facility in background

Canoes arrive at Whey-Ah-Wichen - II

Leaders sign declaration to protect the Salish sea

Canoes arrive at Whey-Ah-Wichen - III

Canoes arrive at Whey-Ah-Wichen - IV

Welcoming committee on shore

Leaders call for solidarity

Leaders call for solidarity to protect the Salish sea

Leaders call for solidarity to protect the Salish sea - II

Protect the Salish sea!

BC Government Weighs in on Musqueam graves

Tim McSorley — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:37:10 +0000

BC orders halt to construction on intact burials

c̓əsnaʔəm—The province of British Columbia has finally weighed in on the protection of the sacred Musqueam grave site dug up by a condo developer in South Vancouver. But the BC Liberals didn't bother telling the Musqueam.

After more than two months of protests at the site, late last week the provincial government ordered construction permanently halted at the spot where intact burials were discovered. A permit amended by the province orders developer Lan Pro Holdings to return the immediate area where the graves were desecrated to close to their "original condition." It does not refer to the rest of the Marpole Midden, where the condo site is located.

The permit change was announced Friday, but the Musqueam only found out through the media.

"We had no idea until the media calls started pouring in for a reaction. They didn't`t tell any of us, not even the band office. We never did get the press release they sent to everyone else," says Mary Point, who has been active at the site demonstration.

Point says the order is a start, but covers a small part of the development site.

"We need to protect the entire site," she says, adding that it makes no sense to protect one small part but not the entire burial grounds.

The Musqueam have continuously occupied the Midden village for more than 4,000 years. The Musqueam have been trying to negotiate a land swap with the developer since the first graves were disturbed in April.

The province, the city, the developer and the First Nation are now scheduled to meet Tuesday to try to move negotiations along.

Murray Bush is a Vancouver-based photographer and regular contributor to the Vancouver Media Co-op, where a version of this article was originally published.

Ongoing Musqueam protest to protect ancient village and burial site, Vancouver, June 2012.

Marchers Vow to Protect Ancient Burial Site

dawn — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:50:26 +0000

Musqueam set up camp at condo site after infant graves desecrated

MARPOLE, VANCOUVER—The Musqueam First Nation has vowed to shut down condo construction to protect a major ancient burial site at the Marpole Midden. Infant graves were unearthed by heavy excavating equipment at the Vancouver location this week.

More than 100 Musqueam and supporters marched to the construction project at 1338 SW Marine on Thursday, May 3. The marchers included representatives from several First Nations. Musqueam are now occupying outside the site and say they will remain until protection for the site is assured.

The move to protect their 4,000-year-old village site come after more burials were dug up by the condo developer. Construction stopped six weeks ago when the developer first disturbed intact burials. Musqueam leaders say promised talks with the developer, the city and the province have gone nowhere.

The Musqueam reportedly offered a swap with developer Century Holdings for nearby land, but to no avail. The Marpole Midden is considered one of the most important in Canada and was named a National Historic Site in 1938.

Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip announced that the site will "remain shut down until the province is prepared to come to the table and discuss a resolution to this situation."

Musqueam Chief Ernest Campbell warned "never question our resolve or the resolve of our fellow First Nations, or of any one else for that matter, when it comes to protecting our sacred burial rights."

Musqueam spokesperson Cecilia Point said supporters are welcome to come down and join the protest on the sidewalk or bring a tent and stay.

This article and these images (and more) were originally published by the Vancouver Media Co-op.

Musqueam Marchers

Musqueam Marchers II