RIVERS WITHOUT BORDERS

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Sacred Headwaters Gathering 2007

Hey there… Andre here, new guy with Rivers Without Borders – Whitehorse office.

From July 13-15th I headed down to the Stikine River watershed in north-western BC to attend The Sacred Headwaters gathering in Iskut, BC. The central message of the weekend was clear: Stomp Out Shell! 

Shell’s desire to get a stronger foothold in the Klabona region is of grave concern – it is in the headwaters of the Stikine, Nass and Skeena watersheds. Coal bed methane extraction in a very sensitive ecological area is not likely to be sustainable in the least. NW BC First Nations leaders, Klabona Keepers, Telegraph Creek Tahltan elders, scientists, documentary film-makers, ethnobotanists, and other guests spoke out against what appears to be the objective of industry and BC government: unbridled resource development on Tahltan traditional territory. 

The Klabona Keepers put the event together for the second straight year. They are made up of Iskut elders, dedicated to protecting the Klappan and Todagin regions from destructive resource development. It would be tragic if this gorgeous area were not preserved for future generations. If all proposed mining projects were to go ahead at once, there would be tremendous environmental, social and cultural impacts. The Klabona Keepers would also like to be properly consulted, so they do not need to resort to further blockades and sit-ins – which they have already proven they are more than willing to do!

Tahltan traditional territory is currently under intense scrutiny from industry and government alike. In the NW of BC, about half of all exploration is taking place on Tahltan traditional territory. The Klabona Keepers insist the land threatened by Shell and a number of possible mining projects is not only the spiritual home of their ancestors – reason enough to keep a company out – it is also quite simply horribly situated for methane extraction.

Although I didn’t get the opportunity to visit the sacred headwaters site, those who spoke of the area describe it as uncommonly beautiful. Does it really make sense to jeopardize multiple watersheds with the toxic run-off resulting from coal bed methane extraction methods? In the words of one speaker: “you don’t want this project here, it’s absurd to think there would not be tremendous environmental damage and furthermore, coal bed methane extraction has never been done in a wild salmon environment.”

The BC government’s push for resource development is definitely on, and there is no sight of it slowing anytime soon. There are about a dozen major projects currently under environmental assessment review for the area. Boom-bust economies and a downgraded environment may await the region if the current investment climate continues. Short-term thinking, incomplete environmental assessment and shoddy consultation with Tahltan residents colour the overall situation in resource-rich Tahltan territory.

The Sacred Headwaters gathering itself gave hope to those who would like to see the area protected. Conservation groups, Tahltan elders, and people of various backgrounds and persuasions came together to talk about possible solutions. Support those who are coming up with strategies that may lead to the solution.  To find out more check bottom right link of the following website: www.skeenawatershed.com