Please Help Qwa'Ba'Diwa Protectors
Donation protected
April 24, 2017
Calling all Protectors!
Two nights ago, the coastal territories of Qwa'Ba'Diwa (traditional name for the Carmanah-Walbran Valley) were hit by a very bad storm. Qwa'Ba'Diwa is located in a remote area of Vancouver Island, British Columbia between Tofino and Port Renfew, along the famous West Coast Trail route. Access to the area can only be reached by boat or logging road/ hiking an additional hour through dense old growth forest. It is completely off grid: no cell phone service, internet or electricity is available. Boat is the easiest way to bring in heavy supplies, food, equipment to the coast. Hiking in supplies is extremely difficult.
The family of Peter Knighton, elder and spokesperson for the Qwa'Ba'Nation Nation, who live on this hereditary coast are now stranded. Both of their small boats were heavily damaged by the storm.
Efforts are being made by friends of the family to reach Peter and his family but the damage to both of their boats is too much to bear.
If you wish to help the protectors of Qwa'Ba'Diwa and their Indigenous territories you can in three ways:
1) Immediately donate money for the repairs of their two boats so that they can regularly access food/supplies from Port Renfrew.
2) If you have boat mechanic skills/equipment/parts and live in the vacinity of Port Renfrew or other nearby towns, offer to donate time/materials to repair their two vessels.
3) Donate money, materials, and/or your own skills/time to fortifying the existing shelters from storms.
A word about Qwa'Ba'Diwa:
Qwa'Ba'Diwa means "as far as the canoe can travel". It is part of an ancient and temperate rainforest along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The tallest tree in Canada, a 95.836 m (314 ft) long Sitka spruce named "The Carmanah Giant" is located on this Indigenous territory. Peter Knighton is a direct descendent of the hereditary chiefs of Qwa'Ba'Diwa in the Carmanah-Walbran Valley. His father, Jimmy Knighton, was born on this land as was his father, etc. Peter was also born along this coast and has taken up the family's responsibility in protecting these sacred forests and waters. He has lived on his traditional territory with his family his whole life.
Even though the land is now protected as a national park it has historically been and is now, again, under threat of logging.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/activists-vow-to-defend-bcs-walbran-valley-from-new-logging-plans/article24838800/
When we talk about the seven generations and how we must protect the land, the seas and the air for our grandchildren's grandchildren's grandchildren, for our sister's and brother's children and for our neighbour's children, we are talking about how important it is to support our relations. I ask you at this time and if need be I may ask you again, to stand with the protectors of Qwa'Ba'Diwa. Please help the Knighton family by supporting the work they do and to help them to be able to do it safely and with an abundance of community support.
Calling all Protectors!
Two nights ago, the coastal territories of Qwa'Ba'Diwa (traditional name for the Carmanah-Walbran Valley) were hit by a very bad storm. Qwa'Ba'Diwa is located in a remote area of Vancouver Island, British Columbia between Tofino and Port Renfew, along the famous West Coast Trail route. Access to the area can only be reached by boat or logging road/ hiking an additional hour through dense old growth forest. It is completely off grid: no cell phone service, internet or electricity is available. Boat is the easiest way to bring in heavy supplies, food, equipment to the coast. Hiking in supplies is extremely difficult.
The family of Peter Knighton, elder and spokesperson for the Qwa'Ba'Nation Nation, who live on this hereditary coast are now stranded. Both of their small boats were heavily damaged by the storm.
Efforts are being made by friends of the family to reach Peter and his family but the damage to both of their boats is too much to bear.
If you wish to help the protectors of Qwa'Ba'Diwa and their Indigenous territories you can in three ways:
1) Immediately donate money for the repairs of their two boats so that they can regularly access food/supplies from Port Renfrew.
2) If you have boat mechanic skills/equipment/parts and live in the vacinity of Port Renfrew or other nearby towns, offer to donate time/materials to repair their two vessels.
3) Donate money, materials, and/or your own skills/time to fortifying the existing shelters from storms.
A word about Qwa'Ba'Diwa:
Qwa'Ba'Diwa means "as far as the canoe can travel". It is part of an ancient and temperate rainforest along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The tallest tree in Canada, a 95.836 m (314 ft) long Sitka spruce named "The Carmanah Giant" is located on this Indigenous territory. Peter Knighton is a direct descendent of the hereditary chiefs of Qwa'Ba'Diwa in the Carmanah-Walbran Valley. His father, Jimmy Knighton, was born on this land as was his father, etc. Peter was also born along this coast and has taken up the family's responsibility in protecting these sacred forests and waters. He has lived on his traditional territory with his family his whole life.
Even though the land is now protected as a national park it has historically been and is now, again, under threat of logging.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/activists-vow-to-defend-bcs-walbran-valley-from-new-logging-plans/article24838800/
When we talk about the seven generations and how we must protect the land, the seas and the air for our grandchildren's grandchildren's grandchildren, for our sister's and brother's children and for our neighbour's children, we are talking about how important it is to support our relations. I ask you at this time and if need be I may ask you again, to stand with the protectors of Qwa'Ba'Diwa. Please help the Knighton family by supporting the work they do and to help them to be able to do it safely and with an abundance of community support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Seba De Line
Organizer
Port Renfrew, BC
Jody Martin
Beneficiary
