Carleen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Sacred Trust made a presentation on the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline to Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s board of directors meeting in late 2013.

Her talk and slide show generated much discussion around the table as she explained that The Sacred Trust is mandated to oppose and stop the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline project.

On Jan. 15, Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) issued an application to participate notification about the hearing process for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. Those who wish to participate in the NEB hearing must apply to participate. The application to participate is on the NEB’s website at www.neb-one.gc.ca where you should click on ‘Major Applications’ and ‘Projects’ and then ‘Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC – Trans Mountain Expansion’. Applications to participate in the NEB hearing are due on or before noon on Feb 12.

“This is not just for us, but for everyone,” Carleen said about Tsleil- Waututh’s opposition to the project. “We have to put aside any differences we have. When an oil spill happens, we will have nothing left to fight over… no salmon or anything else.”

After the presentation, Chief Gordon Planes of T’Sou-ke said that he has heard of other First Nations who have met with Kinder Morgan and accepted consultation funding. “They approached us and we said ‘No, we are not drinking that Kool-Aid.”

Chief Bryce Williams of Tsawwassen said: “I already felt passionate about this issue, but once I saw this presentation, it is extra confirmation for me. I can’t stand this project.”