While first nations community members and their supporters across Canada gathered at Idle No More rallies Monday afternoon, January 28, local supporters assembled at the Wharf at Westview to greet ferry travellers entering onto Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation traditional territory.
The protest was part of a World Day of Action as members of Parliament returned to the House of Commons in Ottawa.
More than 50 people stood in the light drizzle at the wharf, beating drums, singing songs and chanting in protest of Bill C-45.
“We are here to make a stand for our people,” said Drew (Kespaul) Blaney, organizer of the rally. “We traditionally had a village at Willingdon Beach called Ayjumish which means “beautiful” in our language because it’s beautiful sandy flat land.
“This isn’t just a native issue we’re dealing with here,” said Blaney. “It’s for all Canadians. These bills not only affect first nations peoples but the population in general.”
When the Queen of Burnaby started to unload, the demonstrators walked down the wharf to where the cars were driving by. Some drivers waved, others honked their horns in support. After the ferry unloaded the demonstrators moved to briefly block the loading, but did not cause any major delays.
Instead of generating distrust and ill-will, Blaney said he hopes the Idle No More rallies can serve to shed light on the problems that first nations people face every day when it comes to housing and traditional fisheries.
“The [Navigation Protection Act] means the government doesn’t have to consult first nations groups or municipalities or cities,” he said. “If the pipeline goes through it’s not just first nations people on the coast that are going to feel it. It’s going to be the general population.”
Chief James Delorme of the Klahoose First Nation was on the ferry and returning from a trip to visit relatives.
“To come off that ferry and see all the energy that is still going on for Idle No More movement is amazing,” said Delorme. “I have to raise my hands to not only you folks here today but also the grassroots people that have been coming together to make this happen. This is not just about first nations and our rights and our people. It’s about us Canadians working together for what’s right for everyone.”
Local resident Paul Schachter participated in the afternoon rally. “It’s about time a lot of these issues are coming into the public consciousness,” said Schachter. “There are a lot of issues that need to be dealt with and I really thank the first nations community for bringing the issue of the environment front and centre.
“Under the Indian Act a lot of indigenous people’s rights have been trampled on. I feel that the country has a responsibility, even this late in the game, to be rectifying some of the things that have been done.
“We’ve tried to build Powell River as a welcoming and inclusive community. In order to do that we have to act out the things that we believe in.”
He added that the Tla’amin community has really been active in the diversity movement and has been integral in promoting diversity, which is kind of ironic, he said, because they were the people who were here first.
