URGENT REQUEST FOR SUPPORT

Treaty 8 Territory/Peace River Valley/ British Columbia

Our people, Prophet River and West Moberly First Nations, have been fighting the Site C hydroelectric dam project (“the project”) for close to five decades. The project threatens to flood three of the largest rivers in our territory: Peace, Moberly, and Halfway Rivers. Over 107 kilometers of river valleys and their tributaries could be under water including ancient burial sites.

On September 12, 2016, we will be in Montreal in the federal court of appeal to challenge the Canada’s project approval. Our community members will be embarking on a road tour across Canada to magnify the gross injustices of this project and to amplify public support for the protection of the Peace River Valley. We, along with the full support of the First Nations Leadership Council, are urgently requesting your involvement in this very significant and historic journey.

The implications of the court’s decision are far reaching, especially for other Treaty First Nations. The arguments specifically ask if Canada is justified in approving projects, without undertaking their own analysis and determination on infringement of Treaty.

Additionally, many characterize the Site C Dam as a litmus test of the commitment’s made by Canada to have a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations; a respectful relationship that honours Treaties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Below is a list of the Treaty 8 Justice for the Peace Tour needs:

• Offer to host or help with a solidarity event along the journey’s earmarked stops – Edmonton/Saskatoon/Winnipeg/Thunder Bay/Sault Ste. Maire/Ottawa/Montreal
• Build awareness and excitement about the tour through your networks and social media
• Coordinate local drummers to welcome and/or send-off the bus
• Create welcome banners and signs to rally around the bus when it arrives
• Provide meals and billeting for bus participants
• Engage your local politicians and media to attend the solidarity events near you
• Promote and encourage your networks to attend the solidarity events near you
• Recruit and confirm dignitaries to speak at the solidarity event(s)
• Provide a monetary donation to off-set the costs of the journey

Treaty 8 Justice for the Peace Tour

Please contact Verena Hofmann at (250)-793-1124 or [email protected] if you are interested in fulfilling any of the items listed above.

For more information about the Protect the Peace River Valley Campaign, go to: http://www.stopsitec.org/

To make a donation directly to our legal fund, go to:http://raventrust.com/no-site-c-grab-a-paddle/

Now more than ever, we must collectively pool our efforts and support each other. We sincerely hope that you will answer our call for help.

In friendship,

[Original signed]

Chief Roland Willson 
West Moberly First Nations

Chief Lynette Tsakoza
Prophet River First Nation

Grand Chief Edward John
Robert Phillips
Cheryl Casimer
On behalf of the FIRST NATIONS SUMMIT

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip
Chief Bob Chamberlin
Chief Judy Wilson
On behalf of the UNION OF BC INDIAN CHIEFS

Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson
On behalf of the BC ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS