Blockades in BC and Western Canada

Mar 11, 2015

Blockades in BC and Western Canada

This is a partial list with some links to current, past, and ongoing blockades in British Columbia and Western Canada. Please add more info in the comments.

 

  • The Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, Manitoba, is protecting sacred sites by blockading workers cutting trees for a hydroelectric transmission line.
  • Burnaby/Langley - Kinder Morgan pipeline: In fall 2014, 120 locals and allies were arrested in at a  tarsands pipeline test drill site near Vancouver. In 2015, the drillers have reappeared in a few locations east of Burnaby, where the Kwantlen First Nation is leading the charge for the next round of resistance.
  • The Nuu-chah-nulth Nations have closed the spring herring fishery in the strait off the west coast of Vancouver Island. They are promising to intercept commercial vessels with their own boats. 
  • The Northern Trappers Alliance, Ducharme, Saskatchewan: A traditional Dene group was blocking forest roads to push back against the loss of wildlife and access to the land from drilling, pipelines, and gates.  The protest camp and picket line were moved to the side of the road  after an injunction was issued and RCMP seized a trailer.
  • Tseshaht Nation (Port Alberni, Vancouver Island):  Victory and the blockade is down, The province has agreed to stop timber sales in old-growth forests of the Nahmint Valley. The Tseshaht are monitoring to make sure this agreement is respected.
  • Klabona Keepers, Talhtan Nation (near Iskut) Blockade down after injunction issued. They were blocking Imperial Metals mine in Sacred Headwaters and other projects in various locations. They urgently need volunteers, rideshares, donations, and legal help. UPDATE: The Klabona Keepers boycotted the injunction hearing and it appears they have withdrawn for now.
  • Penelakut (Grace Islet, near Salt Spring Island) The blockade is down at a burial ground where a landowner was building a private home. Partial victory: The province is moving to intervene and purchase the development site. The area was damaged as work had gone ahead with heavy equipment despite the blockade.
  • Sabine Channel (between Lasqueti Island and Texada Island) Oct 4 2014: One-day blockade of coal tanker traffic.
  • Unis'tot'en Camp (near Smithers) Permanent camp - blocking tarsands and gas pipelines. Get info about the Caravan.
  • Madii Lii Camp (Gitxsan) New permanent camp - blocking tarsands and gas pipelines.
  • Gidemten Camp (near Smithers) New permanent camp - blocking mining and pipelines.
  • Sutikalh (near Lillooet) Permanent camp - blocking resort development.