Wet'suwet'en chiefs lead 600 residents in march against coalbed methane
March 24, 2007
What a day!
Wet'suwet'en chiefs dressed in full regalia led 600 Bulkley Valley residents in a rally and march against coalbed methane development in the Bulkley Valley.
See photos of the rally on Flickr.
The rally started at the Smithers Library, where Chief Woos welcomed the crowd to Gitdumden territory. Debbie Pierre, executive Director of the Office of the Wet'suwet'en, and David DeWitt, the Office's Natural Resources Manager, also spoke out in opposition to the proposed project.
A Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane spokesperson also spoke to crowd, encouraging them to send a strong message to Victoria and celebrate the Bulkley Valley.
Led by the chiefs and a large banner reading "No means No," the huge crowd then proceeded to walk the length of Smithers' Main Street and past the office of MLA Dennis MacKay. MacKay has voiced his support for the CBM project, which polling suggests 70 percent of local residents oppose.
Back at the library, more speakers took to the microphone. They included Chief Kloum Kuhn (Alphonse Gagnon), who was part of the Wet'suwet'en delegation to Calgary; Hazelton Councilor Doug Donaldson; and MP Nathan Cullen, who spoke in support via a pre-recorded message.
Saturday night saw Todd Butler and Kim Barlow (backed by Jordy Walker) perform a benefit concert at the Della Herman theatre. Butler, who endured an arduous journey to Smithers courtesy of Air Canada, debuted his song Coalbed Methane Blues, which he wrote for the occasion.