Members of local First Nations came out to Central Park on Aug. 29 to show support for the 2014 Totem Pole Journey.

The totem pole’s travel is being led by members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation from Vancouver in opposition to the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project.

People in the Nicola Valley turned out to get a look at the totem pole, which is on its way to Beaver Lake Cree First Nation — in an area about 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton with territory said to be affected by expanding Alberta oil sands.

The totem was carved by Lummi First Nation master carver Jewell James and depicts a woman with a snake coming out of the ground, representing power, James said.

On the woman’s dress are four guardian men protecting her in all four directions. She is holding a child over her head who in turn holds a turtle, which symbolizes the youth has embraced traditional teachings. On the woman’s womb is a fetus, symbolizing the next generation, and there’s another person watching her back.

The awareness campaign is intended to shed light on controversies surrounding natural resource projects.

Another totem was recently gifted to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and erected in their territory, in which the Kinder Morgan pipeline brings bitumen from northern Alberta.

The totem is travelling a 10,000 kilometre journey to its final destination in northern Alberta, essentially at the other end of the Kinder Morgan pipeline. It began its travels in South Dakota before heading through Montana, Washington and now British Columbia.

“The totem will serve as a permanent symbol of cross-border unity among First Nations and tribes opposing destructive fossil fuel projects like the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline and tanker expansion project,” a press release stated. “It will bring its message about our shared responsibility to protect our water, lands and people, and invite community members to be a part of the totem’s journey.”

Members of the group taking the totem pole to Alberta made speeches to those in attendance at the Central Park parking lot.
James, from the Lummi Nation in Washington, pointed out the Mount Polley mine tailings pond spill in his speech to the crowd.

“Wherever we look we’re threatened. It’s not just Beaver Lake Cree,” James said.

James said the resource controversy in Lummi relates to coal transportation and water safety.

The National Energy Board is expected to release its review of Kinder Morgan’s proposed expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline by July 2014.

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has launched a legal challenge alleging the National Energy Board and the federal government failed to adequately consult the band before setting the terms of the review.  

Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation said he’s confident they will be able to stop the pipeline expansion.

“We won’t let it pass. We’ll do whatever it takes, and we will stop them,” George said.

Nicola Tribal Association president Rick Yellow Horn was among the locals in attendance. He told the Herald he cannot support the Kinder Morgan expansion project when there are still environmental concerns.

The Nicola Tribal Association represents seven bands in the Merritt area.