A group of grandmothers on Walpole Island expressed their frustration and stood in front of machinery on Monday in opposition to a proposed natural gas project on the First Nation reserve.
As the machines were fired up, Corrine Tooshkenig held onto the equipment being setup on River Road, the location where the project was set to break ground on Monday morning.
“When I saw the welcoming ceremony in front of the Water Treatment facility, and knowing the history of the gas and oil extraction and the fracking that goes behind that… it is not a friendly enterprise,” Tooshkenig told the Sydenham Current.
“When I saw that, my heart sank. I was saddened. Then when I saw the pipes there… I felt bad for the water that was going to be used. I can see a bigger picture that it is encroaching on First Nation territory. Historical prophecies were being fulfilled today, that this was a monster at our door and our current band council approving it.”
Tooshkenig said when she saw the machinery start up, her reaction was to stop it.
“I was just on my way to say my prayers and then that motor started up, and they were going to dig,” she said.
“I just went by and grabbed onto the monster. That’s all I did. I started crying, waving, yelling. You chase unwanted spirits away from you. As Indian we do that, on New Year’s we bang pots and pans, it’s tradition. It’s something we release, an energy release.”
Marie Short, another grandmother opposed to the pipeline project, said they are looking out for future generations.
“We are looking out for the safety of our children, or the water, or Mother Earth,” she said.
“All those things that were given to us as grandmothers. We have to watch out for our babies. Where that line is running is right by the school too, so if anybody hits it… kaboom. We’re on an island, we float. That’s contamination.”
Short said she was upset she hadn’t received a notice that had been delivered to residents on the First Nation reserve, which provided details about the project starting on Monday (see photo.)
Project announced by Walpole Island last year
Walpole Island First Nation officials posted a press release on their website on Monday, July 27 announcing Walpole’s partnership with Union Gas and the approval of the first phase of natural gas infrastructure expansion in the community.
“Expansion of natural gas to Walpole Island has been an infrastructure goal for over 20 years and we are very happy to see the first phase of implementation finally realized,” Walpole Island officials stated in the press release.
“This expansion will provide a number of benefits to our community including decreased overhead for economic development ventures and governance operations, a more affordable alternative to heating homes and water for community members, and increased ability to attract economic development into our community. This phase of the project will be funded partially through funding from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and partially through the Walpole Island First Nation.”
John Bonin, manager of economic development, First Nation and Metis for Union Gas, stated in last year’s press release: “Natural gas is the most economical source of energy for the home and costs significantly less than electricity, oil or propane. In fact, over the past two winters, homeowners have saved between $1,700 and $2,200 a year by using natural gas rather than electricity, oil or propane for heat and hot water,”. For several years, Union Gas has worked closely with Walpole Island First Nation to secure funding contributions for the natural gas expansion. Connecting Walpole Island First Nation to natural gas supply presents an opportunity to reduce energy costs for local residents and businesses and drive economic development.”
Walpole Island official said the first phase of the project would include the installation of a pipeline under the Snye River, which will follow the Tecumseh Highway to the St. Clair River, then continue North to the WIFN Water Treatment Plant.
“It is estimated that the amount we will save on operations for our farming corporation alone will be in excess of $200,000 within the first year of connection,” Walpole Island officials stated.
“These are dollars that can be reinvested into the community. We have been working closely with Union Gas to develop this project for many years now and are excited to see the opportunity finally coming to fruition.”
At that time, Walpole Island officials announced they would be hosting an information session to share more details of the project with the community members on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the Naaknigewgamig Council Chambers.
Project slated to begin
This past Friday, August 5, Walpole Island First Nation Council announced on Facebook that the project was set to break ground on Monday.
“A6N, a partnership between Aecon and Six Nations Development Corporation, will be laying a 6″ plastic pipe along Tecumseh Rd. to River Rd, ending at the Water Treatment Plant,” Walpole Island First Nation Council wrote on Facebook.
“The project will allow Union Gas to service 60 residences, 13 commercial customers, as well as Tahgahoning Enterprises. There is capacity to extend service to up to 800 homes, and there is additional commercial/industrial capacity that would allow Tahgahoning to double its operation in the future.”
The Sydenham Current is looking to get further comment from Walpole Island officials about the story.
Others in support of the grandmothers
Becky Blackbird, one of several people gathered at the site on Monday, said there has been a lack of consultation on Walpole Island about the project.
“We haven’t been consulted as a community to be aware of what the plans were for the gas line to come in here,” she said.
“When we protested (a few weeks ago) at the Walpole Island bridge, they promised they were going to give us some literature to read about the plans. I haven’t received that. I never had a visit from our Chief and council to come and consult us… to let us know, maybe years down the road you’ll benefit from it. We never heard any of that… they’re just securing their own assets.”
Blackbird added these type of projects are being protested all across North America.
“How can we put a gas line in our community on a reservation,” Blackbird said. “Look all the way across Canada and North America, people are condemning those pipelines. So why are we so willing to do this move, when we’re fighting with all our other natives across North America to stop their fracking and their pipelines… to protect Mother Earth.”
Tanya Dodge said the fliers distributed by Walpole Island officials about the ground breaking on Monday, didn’t make it to every household.
“It seems to me it is being done without community consent,” Dodge told the Sydenham Current.
“There should be a community vote for whether we want this here. We’ve never had that chance, so they’re just going to go ahead and do it. They said they are thinking about our future but they are not listening to us. There is no transparency.”
Dodge added: “There are people that really care about this place. We love it with all our hearts. When we see these poor decisions being made to save money, they’re not saving us any money. I was just heading to do my stuff and I saw this grandmother out here trying to stop a machine. That’s not right. We’ve got cops here, protecting what? Protecting our community? Or are they protecting that machine?”
Rex Isaac, a former band council member, said he believes there will be on-going issues until Chief and council formulate a communication strategy.
“We’ve talked about it for years, but nobody has ever implemented anything,” he said.
“I know one of the things are current Chief and council talk about and brag about is we were the first one’s to kick out the Indian agent. I’m always against that because I don’t believe we did kick out the Indian agent, yeah we might of gotten rid of the person who used to be the Indian agent, but the system of that governance structure still exists here.”
Isaac added: “So whether that Indian agent is the Chief or the director of operations or whoever it is, now it’s just a different face but with the same government structure. Until we change that, we’re still going to have issues within the community.”
Next steps
The grandmothers on Walpole Island told the Sydenham Current that they will continue to fight.
“We’re going to talk to the Chief and council,” Tooshkenig said.
“We want to know why it is exclusive… they are making choices and decisions without the people’s voice, comment and opinions. They are wheeling and dealing without the people. They’ve done it long enough. One other council before that tried to bring the gas in… we stopped it then. Back then our elders said wait for the encroachment, it’s going to come knocking again.”
The issue is set to be discussed at a meeting in Walpole Island council chambers on Tuesday evening.
Watch for more on this story.
they still brang pipelines trucks here sitting on walpole island bridge,what part of no dont they understand
More money for the short-sighted and money-greedy leadership. The future be damned.