Borders Are No Boundary
by Darren Moore
The Salish Sea is a beautiful paradise that has been threatened by a variety of environmental issues. To honor their history and work towards protecting the environment, tribal leaders and activists came together on neutral ground at the Peace Arch in Blaine, Washington. This safe space between the American and Canadian borders was the perfect location for relatives to come together and stand in unity.
The event was organized by the Protectors of the Salish Sea, led by Paul Chiyokten Wagner, an activist who is passionate about environmental conservation. In his statement, Paul explained that it is essential for people to come together to protect the environment and ensure a harmonious future for all. He emphasized the importance of ending the era of fossil fuel fascism and stopping LNG and Kinder Morgan in the Salish Sea
The event was a two-day affair and started on a rainy Saturday at Birch Bay Park in Blaine, Washington. Walkers gathered for a traditional Lummi welcome and brushing off with cedar bows. They embarked on an 8.8-mile walk to Peace Arch Park, walking with the blessings of their ancestors and the strength of songs. Each step was taken with the hope of creating a bridge to a livable future for our children and beyond, with a focus on protecting the orcas, wild salmon, and ancestor forests.
The starting point, Birch Bay, was chosen for its proximity to the proposed location of the Island Gas Connector Pipeline, which will carry Canadian fracked gas to the Malahat LNG Facility. This pipeline’s construction would threaten the Salish Sea’s ecology, including the vital orca population.
The event was a beautiful symbol of solidarity for everyone working towards protecting the Salish Sea. For the people that have always been here, borders are a colonial concept, and the event was an opportunity to come together to decolonize and recognize that the Salish Sea is part of their collective homelands. The Coast Salish people have protected the Salish Sea for tens of thousands of years, and it’s essential that they can continue to protect it for future generations.
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