Vancouver, Coast Salish Territory, BC – On May 12, First Nations leaders from across North America will be welcomed by the local Tsleil Waututh Nation (TWN) in Vancouver, BC, where the group will hold a press conference to unite calls for the Canadian government to ‘Break Free’ from fossil fuels and begin the transition towards a 100% renewable energy economy.
The group of First Nation’s leaders will show their solidarity with the Tsleil Waututh Nation’s fight against the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project by giving speeches and presenting a gift of a solar array to be used in the construction of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation’s new administration building.
Speakers will include:
Rueben George, Manager, Sacred Trust Initiative, Tsleil Waututh Nation
Grand Chief Serge Simon, Kanesatake
Faith Spotted Eagle, Yankton Sioux
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Melina Laboucan Massimo, Lubicon Cree First Nation
Geraldine Thomas, Yinke Dene Alliance
Jewell James, Lummi Nation
Chief Darrell Bob, Statlium Nation
Deborah Parker, Tulalip Nation – Washington State
Phil Lane Jr., Ihanktonwan Dakota and Chickasaw Nations
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs
WHY: This press conference was planned ahead of the National Energy Board’s May 20 submission of its final recommendation on the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline.
Multiple other events are taking place in opposition to the NEB’s impending decision, including Rueben George of TWN’s speaking at Kinder Morgan’s AGM at their headquarters in Houston, as well as a mass show of opposition being planned at Kinder Morgan’s Westridge terminal in Vancouver on May 14th.
WHERE: Vancouver Public Library (350 W Georgia St, Vancouver) Alma Van Dusen Room
WHEN: Thursday May 12th, 9:30 AM
VISUALS: Large solar panels delivered to Tsleil Waututh leaders and First Nations leaders speeches on opposing fossil fuel projects in their territories from across Canada.