About 21 people gathered at the Community Centre in Campbell River on Feb. 20 to watch the documentary, Yintah. The film chronicles the 10-year struggle of the Wet’suwet’en land defenders to keep oil and gas companies from building a pipeline through their territory in North Central British Columbia.
This screening is the first of a series of environmental film nights hosted by the North Island Powell River Federal Green Party Riding Association (NIPR). The special guest for this event, Rainbow Eyes (Angela) Davidson, the deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada, from the Da'naxda'xw/Awaetlala First Nation in Knights Inlet, was introduced by Jessica Wegg, the federal Green candidate for the riding.
After the movie, Rainbow Eyes led the gathering in the Women’s Warrior Song, which is featured in the film and has become an anthem for Indigenous and environmental protests across North America.
Rainbow Eyes spoke about her experience protesting at Fairy Creek and her appeal of criminal contempt charges for her protests, says the release. Jessica Wegg, a lawyer living and practicing in Comox, contributed to the legal team for Rainbow Eye’s appeal and spoke about her hope that court cases like Rainbow Eye’s will bring recognition to the historic and ongoing violation of Indigenous people’s charter rights.
"The film has sobering footage of the dismissive and patronizing behaviour of the gas company employees and executives, and the indifference of the RCMP to their responsibility to protect the Indigenous peoples whose territory was being invaded," reads the release. "The contrast between the women defenders and elders who stood behind the barricades and drew their strength from their regalia and songs and the masses of RCMP forcing their way through with flack vests, assault rifles, and bullet-proof visors was chilling."
The next NIPR Greens Environmental Movie Night, focused this time on family content, will be at the Campbell River Community Centre during Spring Break on March 27. Animated films and the feature documentary, "Return of the Great Bear," with special guest Natasha Wehn, the Project Director for Pacific Wild.
To register, please call Annie Smith at 250-926-9336.
