To support opposition to fossil fuel production and transportation
— from the Lummi Nation and the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship —
Master Carver Jewell James photo by James Leder
Each year for the past two years, [Lummi] tribal members, led by Master Carver Jewell James of the Lummi Nation’s House of Tears Carvers, have carved and transported totem poles thousands of miles to raise public awareness and strengthen opposition to the export of fossil fuels from the west coast of the United States and Canada. Working in close association with other tribal governments, environmental organizations as well as the faith-based community, these efforts have helped shape the public debate and understanding of what is at risk with the proposed fossil fuel exports.
Throughout the Pacific Northwest, Unitarian Universalist congregations have supported and participated in these Journeys and will do so again this year with a greater presence and in honoring their commitment given at this past General Assembly. These journeys have reached millions of people…
Be part of helping this years journey touch even more lives. As of July 18, the fund has reached $7,290 of its $10,000 goal. This project will only be funded if at least $10,000 is pledged by August 7, 2015.
See more at: https://www.faithify.org/projects/totem-pole-journey-2015-our-sacred-obligation/#sthash.WSMvYaNv.dpuf
The 2015 journey (August 21-August 31) comes at a defining moment in our collective effort to defeat these fossil fuel export proposals. The Corps of Engineers will likely decide in mid-to-late August whether or not it will agree with the Lummi Nation and deny all permits for the Gateway Pacific Terminal Project. Meanwhile, the project proponents are engaged in a public relations campaign to sway public opinion married to efforts to influence the Corps through elected officials in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Washington, D.C. The 2015 journey will play an important role uniting opposition to the fossil fuel export projects, empower the general public with information, send a strong and united message to agencies and elected officials, and strengthen local, regional, and national networks and alliances.
Unlike previous journeys the 2015 journey will focus events at key tribal communities. Tribes such as Lummi, Tulalip, Swinomish, Umatilla, Quinault, Spokane, and Yakama will play a decisive role in defeating the proposed projects, as will the peoples of Celilo Falls (on the Columbia River) and the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation of British Columbia, where the journey will begin. The journey will end in the territory of the Northern Cheyenne some of whose sacred lands would be devastated by the proposed coal mine at Otter Creek and the proposed Tongue River rail line. There will also be public events to be coordinated with the assistance of our friends and allies in the environmental, social justice and faith-based communities, at Bellingham (Washington), Longview (Washington), Portland (Oregon), and Billings (Montana).
People from all communities need to be concerned with the numerous adverse impacts that the proposed fossil fuel export projects will have. Affected communities will be subjected to environmental devastation to the air, land and water, major health concerns, economic losses and severe and dangerous disruptions of daily living. First Nations will be subjected to these as well, plus the loss of Treaty rights, cultural lifeways and the devastation and loss of traditional and sacred territories. All of us will be impacted by the imminent, hastening of climate change when these exported fossil fuels are consumed and the waste products are dumped into our air, waters and lands.
Take up our sacred obligation by making a donation to support the Totem Pole Journey. Every donation is a vital step in the journey towards a harmonious relationship with our earth and our Original Nations. Tax receipts will be given for donations over $75 by the Lummi Nation Service Organization.
“Since exploratory drilling started on the reservation a decade ago, several groups have emerged to oppose further development. Groups like the Blackfeet Anti-Fracking Coalition and the Blackfeet Headwaters Alliance are urging a moratorium on fracking, providing the public with updates, and organizing tribe members to protect their cultural and natural resources. “We want to partner with like-minded, like-hearted people to preserve our way of life, and to contribute to the dialogue of the human family, that we have one earth and that we all have a part in preserving it and also in protecting it and to make sure that the environment is able to support humankind and all other living beings,” said Lori [New Breast].” – “Blackfeet Women Defend Their Homeland“
This year, the Journey is a prominent justice-making component of the 2015 GA Public Witness, event that focused on climate justice, particularly as it applies to First and American Indian Nations across the U.S. and Canada.
For more information and the Totem Pole Journey schedule, go to: https://www.faithify.org/projects/totem-pole-journey-2015-our-sacred-obligation/#sthash.WSMvYaNv.dpuf
(Thanks to Sharon Abreu)
About the Author: Lin McNulty
