January 26, 2023 | Author: Isabella Wen Photographer: Justin Juwan Yu Editor: Ruonan Zhao
Water. We squint our eyes towards the ocean and give a rock our best throw. Hoping it’ll create a small ripple, that’ll turn into a bigger ripple, and maybe even skip a few times.
Water. We dip the tip of our fingers in a cold, clear, streaming river, eyes closed, letting go of everything else except for the feeling of the river stream surrounding our fingers.
Water. An essential. It gives life to not only us, but all animals. Like salmon in rivers or whales in oceans, we all need water to thrive. It is sacred and essential for the functionality of an ecosystem.
Especially to the First Nations, water is life.
Sara Cadeau leads a First Nations water ceremony | taken by: Justin Juwan Yu
On May 29, 2021, Trans Mountain planned to drill a 1.5-kilometer tunnel underneath the Fraser River to create a pipeline, disrespecting the Kwikwetlem First Nations and putting their water and land at risk.
The Fraser River is a well-known body of water that brings life to its community. It’s a central home for salmon and vital to its ecosystem’s balance. Salmon are part of the First Nations spiritual identity. The fish is often regarded as a symbol of prosperity and wisdom, making them greatly cherished in First Nations culture.
Chief Kukpi7 Judy Wilson expresses concerns for the surrounding marine life:
“Canada continues to try to build this pipeline without the consent of many Indigenous communities, risking the salmon, the whales and the very foundations of Indigenous life.”
The Kwikwetlem First Nations knew that the Trans Mountain project would inevitably hurt the river. The Fraser River is a gift of nature and a vital part of their community, and the progression of Tran Mountain pipelines would be highly damaging. One spill, which is more than likely to occur, would pollute this sacred river.
Building this pipeline, especially without the Kwikwetlem First Nations consent, is both harmful and disrespectful to the river and the community which resides there. To advocate for wild marine life, which Trans Mountain would directly harm, they decided to take a stand against the TMX pipeline project.
To protect the river’s health, the community began a four-day Spirit Fast and a water ceremony as a protest against the Trans Mountain pipelines. This event was led by Chief Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Chief Ed, Jo Ann Buffalo, Elder Minnie Kenoras, Firekeeper Veronica Butler, and June Manual, with help from Anishnaabe Kwe and Dogwood.
The water ceremony and Spirit Fast are both mesmerizing displays of the connection that First Nations people have to their river. First Nations communities truly treasure its connection with the life that Mother Earth provides, never taking anything in nature for granted.
So, what happens during the Spirit Fast and the water ceremony?
During the Spirit Fast in September of 2021, fasters were silent for over half a week in protest of the drill plan.
They prayed for the water and for all of life as they gathered around a sacred fire, body and soul connected to the land, water and each other.
Items for the prayer are laid on a blanket | taken by: Justin Juwan Yu
The water ceremony began with Chief Ed making a moving speech, once again around a sacred fire. The group held a moment of silence for the 215 lost children and other people suffering.
It then included taking the gathered water from sources across Turtle Island, even across the world, and blessing themselves with that water.
At the open mic event, the community shared a diverse collection of stories. Stories about personal experiences with residential schools, family, inspiring songs, and many other moving words were voiced and connected the community.
As an ending to the ceremony, the group cleansed themselves with sacred burning cedar. Elder Minnie explains that the process is "helping you become the person you are”.
Cleansing cedar is burned during the ceremony | taken by: Justin Juwan Yu
Water ceremonies and other traditions such as the Spirit Fast are especially important to First Nations communities. It preserves the undying connection and appreciation for nature’s gifts that First Nations always admirably uphold.
The Fraser River is a gift that generations of Kwikwetlem First Nations people are blessed with and raised by. The river has always been sacred to First Nations culture. In each generation they make sure to raise their children to carry on a strong respect and connection to water.
The First Nations people take care of their river, and the same river takes care of them. They can’t let TMX pollute the water that provides for their community. They can’t allow TMX to put their way of life and their connection with nature at risk.
Water to the First Nations is life. Life should never be taken away.
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