Chief Judith Sayers of the Hupacasath First Nation
on proposed Port Alberni Generation Project
Transcript of presentation at public hearing regarding rezoning site for Port Alberni Generation Project

PORT ALBERNI, BC - 

Madame Mayor, Councillors:

I would like to begin this evening by telling you that I feel it is a real shame that the Hupacasath First Nation has to address you in a public hearing and is not afforded the opportunity to have a real consultation process with the City of Port Alberni.

I hope that in the future that we will be able to develop a process in which you the city may consult with us on issues that will impact you and that we will be able to consult with  you on issues that will impact us.  I know that we have  agreed to meet once a  year to discuss common issues, but I now realize that this is not sufficient.

'These two companies come in, they use our land, our water, our air, and we face the risks.  None of us share in the profits, none of us see any benefits, we only face all the risks to the environment because we live here.' –: Judith Sayers

We must design a process that we have the opportunity to talk with one another in a meaningful way on issues of importance to each of us.  Included in that process I am hoping  that there will be room for a joint visioning process, a process where we can look to the future together to plan what will benefit not only our First Nation, but the City of Port Alberni and the Regional District of Alberni Clayoquot.

We share many of the same goals, having Port Alberni as a thriving community where there are meaningful jobs, a beautiful environment, and an economic base that can sustain many generations to come.  By developing this process and working towards common goals, we will not find ourselves in the position we are in now, where we are at odds with one another on two major economic
development projects for Port Alberni.

Port Alberni , the mountains that surround the valley and the watersheds which run into the valley, down to Coleman Creek and Handy Creek comprise the territory of the Hupacasath.  Since time immemorial we have inhabited these lands, and not only inhabited these lands, but used every corner of it for our survival and we continue to do so to this day.  This area to us is one of the most beautiful places on this earth, we are truly blessed to be given the earth which gives us medicines, foods, and everything that sustains us.

The waters which are so plentiful, bring life, cleansing, and revival.  The air which surrounds us gives us our breath, our very life, and brings the winds which control the weather.  The mountains are our strength, our protection, our resource.

All of these things are integral to us as First Nations and  I daresay all living people.  The earth and everything that grows from it, air, and water will be at risk by the proposed generation plant in the proposed location on Tebo.

As First Nations people, we are closely tied to the lands which we inhabit. Our ancestors have walked on these lands, used all the resources, cared for these resources for longer than any of us can envision in our minds.

Sometimes it is difficult to convey to people why the land is our life, and whatever affects our environment affects us as a people.  We have a duty, a responsibility, a stewardship to look after mother earth, all that grows from her, the waters that run through her and the air that surrounds her.

Everywhere we look on this earth you can see the suffering of the earth, the earth is desperately trying to cleanse herself by fires, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters.  Global warming is a reality we are dealing with every day, people have to wake up and recognize that some of the damage
the earth has suffered is permanent and cannot be reversed, but there are some things which we can change, and certainly we can ensure that we do not do any further damage.

BACKGROUND: BC Hydro is proposing adding capacity to British Columbia's electricity supply by building a natural gas fueled generation plant in Port Alberni, the Port Alberni Generation Project (PAGP).  Their partner in this proposal is Calpine, a large California-based merchant power corporation.  A growing coalition of citizens in Port Alberni have formed the Citizens Stewardship Council to oppose this project.  Port Alberni city council is proposing to rezone an in-town site for the plant, on Tebo Avenue, and on June 6, 7, and 20th is holding public hearings into the rezoning bill.  The public opposition at the first day of hearings was overwhelming. One of the most moving and powerful presenters was Chief Judith Sayers, of the Hupacasath First Nation.  The standing ovation she received was deserved.

We are here today to advocate on behalf of the earth and the environment which sustains all us.

When I took this issue to our community, all of our members expressed concern for the natural beauty and environment that would be marred by this plant being placed on the Tebo site.  Concern was expressed for the health of our members, and the effect the emissions would have on our communities
and our resources which are in such close proximity to the proposed site.

As Hupacasath people, we have aboriginal rights and title to the territory which I have described to you.  These rights can become meaningless if the waters are polluted and quality of fish and wildlife are affected.  The trees and plants which we rely on can quit growing or be contaminated by the emissions of this plant.

I understand  that BC Hydro and Calpine are telling us that these emissions will not land here in town but will be spread out into the mountains.  That is little comfort to us who use all areas of our territory and rely on medicines and trees from up in those mountains. Our goal under treaty is to obtain quality resources and lands, and if there are none, then there is no need for a treaty.

I hear people telling us not to be emotional.  Let me be clear, this is not about emotion, this is about having a quality of life that we do not have to worry about health concerns.  This is about preserving a way of life that relies on certain conditions continuing to exist.  This is about living up to our responsibilities as stewards of this land.  This is about protecting the earth for many generations to come.

Yes, I agree, Port Alberni needs jobs.  Yes, I agree Port Alberni needs infusion into the community that will revitalize the economy.  Above all I know that Vancouver Island is in need of electrical power and that we are all reliant on such power to maintain the way we live. But when are each of us going to take responsibility for excessive use of power, ensuring our homes are properly insulated and all those types of things which will use less power and finally to concentrate on creating green power.

We are hearing that this will be the most state of the art project, the emissions will be below what is required in law, that this is the cleanest method of producing power other than dams, but at what point do you say no?

When it is too late?  And when do you know that it is too late until after the plant has been in operation for years and the health effects start showing up in our children and grand children?

If all communities said no to generation plants, then BC Hydro would have to look at other options that are not harmful to our environment.  Are 20-24 jobs worth the risk?  Even if if creates an addition 60-80 related support jobs, is that enough?  What does Port Alberni really get from this project? The tax obviously, but the only people who get rich from this project are BC Hydro and Calpine.

These two companies come in, they use our land, our water, our air, and we face the risks.  None of us share in the profits, none of us see any benefits, we only face all the risks to the environment because we live here.

Do the benefits outweigh the risks, I submit not.  We as Hupacasath are not going anywhere, this is where we have always lived and will always live.  How many executives of BC Hydro and Calpine will have to live here and breathe the air we breathe?

We come here today, not as scientists, not as biologists, not as hydrologists, we come here today with our traditional ecological knowledge on how to care for mother earth and with a surety that the earth cannot sustain much more.  I implore you to take your responsibilities very seriously and look to what this may look like in 20 years, 50 years and what it will mean to the earth, people's health, and the environment.

You have the power today to say yes or no to a location which could be harmful to people's health and well being.  That responsibility lies with you.  Granted the environmental assessment will look at environmental issues, but that process is flawed.  We cannot rely totally on that process.  Unfortunately,  through colonialistic laws, what we as First Nations like to call legalized theft, shaping the future is within your hands, when it should be in ours, as rightful Stewards of this land.

Without hesitation I know what we would do.  I urge you to think carefully think about all of mother earth, for what happens here affects all of mother earth.  Hishukishtswalk. Everything is one, everything is connected.  What you do today, affects tomorrow, will what we have to pass on to future
generations be something to be proud of it.

Think about it.

Presentation of Judith Sayers
on behalf of the Hupacasath First Nation
Port Alberni Public Hearings, June 6, 2001

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Judith Sayers, Chief, Hupacasath First Nation, Port Alberni, 250-724-4041, judiths@island.net
Keith Wyton, Citizens Stewardship Council, Port Alberni, 250-723-1879, kwyton@island.net