A young Squamish Nation activist is joining Greenpeace’s first ever all-indigenous delegation aboard the MY Esperanza, which has been docked in North Vancouver for the last two weeks.
Taylor George-Hollis, 20, departed on Tuesday along with members from Musqueam, Sechelt and Haida Nations in a voyage for Haida Gwaii.
The voyage is, in part, a cultural exchange between First Nations as well as an opportunity for the environmental group to draw attention to oil and gas projects that may threaten the West Coast and global climate.
“What I’m really looking forward to is working with my connections with these three other nations, including my own, and sharing my culture and our experience alongside with learning about the resistance of the Shell Oil extraction, the tarsands and pipelines and LNG projects happening within our own backyard,” said George-Hollis.
George-Hollis found herself invited to join the trip after being called on to do spiritual ceremonies and speaking engagements on the North Shore and in Vancouver.
First Nations people tend to be on the forefront of activism because so many of the projects are slated to be build on their land, George-Hollis said, though opposing expansion of the fossil fuel industry is something Canadians, Americans and First Nations alike stand in solidarity on, she added.
“Everywhere we go pretty much is either unceded territory or territory that some First Nations people come from so it’s important we acknowledge that together along with Greenpeace, which is a great organization,” she said. “I feel like that’s a great backbone for the movement.”
Upon arriving in Haida Gwaii, the delegates will meet and with Haida Nation chief and council to share their experiences before sailing back to the Lower Mainland.
