Paddling alongside the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Canadian Friends Service Committee’s vital work supporting Indigenous peoples’ human rights is rooted in building respectful relationships. As a Quaker peace and social justice organization, CFSC endeavours to ensure that its decisions and actions are grounded in Spirit. Many of our Indigenous partners are similarly guided by Spirit. Article 25 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms:
Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied lands, territories, waters, coastal seas and other resources and to uphold their responsibilities to future generations in this regard.
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN)—a Coast Salish people—are stewards of Seliwet (Burrard Inlet, British Columbia) where they have lived since time immemorial. In 2013, a project to twin the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline and tanker expansion (TMX) to triple its carrying capacity was proposed to Canada’s National Energy Board.
In 2015 the TWN launched its comprehensive independent assessment of TMX, drawing on scientific analyses and their traditional knowledge of Seliwet to assess the impacts TMX would pose to their lands and waters, including their rights, title, and interests.
In April 2016, through the connection with a Quaker biologist working for the TWN, I, CFSC staff Jennifer Preston, and others from CFSC met with TWN leaders at their band office. They informed us about their work to protect, monitor, and restore their lands and waters. We learned of their Sacred Trust Initiative to oppose TMX and offered our support.
They invited us to attend their Honouring Our Elders ceremony the following month. Although other CFSC members had to return home, my husband Allen and I went. We were privileged to witness sacred dances never performed in public. We enjoyed a feast that included the best clam chowder I’ve ever tasted.
In June of this year I was invited to speak at the Interfaith-Water Ceremony at Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park) on the north shore of Seliwet in North Vancouver. The ceremony was organised by TWN to show their continued opposition to the recently completed TMX.
We started early on a sunny morning with Reuben George, Sundance Chief and the Manager of the Sacred Trust Initiative, encouraging us on before we boarded canoes. Ruben is a gifted leader and inspirational speaker.
Somehow I ended up in the prow of one of the canoes and was told I was responsible for steering! Despite not having canoed for 50 years, I followed the lead canoe and miraculously managed to avoid steering us in a circle.
The water was calm and we paddled to the opposite side of the inlet where a large oil tanker was moored and surrounded by barbed wire. Eagles soared overhead. We stopped while faith and spiritual leaders shared prayers and offerings on the water.
Ruth Walmsley—a member of Vancouver Meeting—offered a prayer. Ruth was then accompanied by the Allouette Sisters. This name was adopted after they were jailed in Allouette Prison for nonviolent civil disobedience to TMX. (For background you can see this video from a 2021 CFSC event where Ruth explained her involvement in nonviolent civil disobedience against TMX: https://QuakerService.ca/PeacefulProtest)
Afterwards, we gathered on the shore. Our numbers had swelled by then from a few dozen to several hundred. Faith and spiritual leaders shared teachings while everyone was served delicious traditional food, including salmon and bannock.
“Faith and spiritual leaders shared prayers and offerings on the water.”
I spoke on behalf of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), identifying myself as wearing two hats—Clerk of Vancouver Meeting and a member of CFSC.
I was moved that directly across the waters from us we could see the hill and neighbourhood called “Capitol Hill” in Burnaby. I lived the first 20 years of my life there and my youngest sister still lives in that same house. I realized how my family home—and many others—were threatened by TMX.
I recalled that meeting we had with TWN in 2016. I showed the silver bracelet I was wearing on my left wrist that Allen had given me a couple of weeks earlier for my birthday. It was carved by our nephew—Heiltsuk artist Dean Hunt—featuring a unique octopus design. I remarked that it reminded me of what amazing and intelligent creatures octopuses are and how catastrophic it would be for them and all the life in these waters if there was an oil spill. I ended by thanking TWN for their faithfulness in protecting these waters for all of us.
TWN has built up relationships with many other Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to strengthen their work. I am happy that Vancouver Friends and CFSC are part of that network.
Rob Hughes is a long-time member of CFSC supporting our Indigenous rights work.
