What's happening upstream?
Mining's toxic legacy of tailings ponds, breaches and spills has a huge impact on salmon and watersheds all over BC. Pipelines leak into the soil and water, tailings ponds breach into rivers and lakes - and all of it spells trouble for watersheds all over BC, and the salmon that sustain our entire ecosystem.
Come out to hear Jamie Kneen of MiningWatch Canada explain what's going on in BC and how communities around the world are mobilizing to stop Canadian mining companies' degradation of lands, water and indigenous rights. While mining only indirectly affects the Shuswap, the watersheds that surround us are heavily impacted. The massive tailings spill from Mt Polley mine still hasn't been cleaned up, but the mining companies carry on. The addition of new mines under the Critical Minerals Act will add to the environmental pressure.
In this time of climate chaos, we know that clean water is vital to our survival. Come find out more.
Salmon Arm
February 22, Thursday, 7pm at Okanagan College
Vernon
February 27, Tuesday, 7pm at the Schubert Centre
Co-sponsored by SENS and Crannóg Ales.
Want to know more about MiningWatch Canada?
MiningWatch Canada works in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous communities who are dealing with potential or actual industrial mining operations that affect their lives and territories, or with the legacy of closed mines, as well as with mineworkers and former workers seeking safe working conditions and fair treatment.
MiningWatch Canada explicitly values the experience and knowledge of Indigenous peoples, mining-affected communities, and workers, and bases its work on mutual learning and participatory, deliberative and transformative methodologies.
In collaboration with national and international networks, organizations and other supporters, MiningWatch Canada:
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Undertakes research and analysis of industrial mining and related policies and laws, in Canada and concerning Canadian mining operations abroad;
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Provides timely information, as well as technical, communications and strategic support, to mining-affected communities and related organizations;
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Campaigns on specific conflicts and issues related to mining abuses, while supporting movement-building;
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Advocates for greater protections for Indigenous peoples and affected communities, including women and mineworkers, as well as justice and reparations for harms from mining through changes to the policies, laws and economic conditions that perpetuate mining-related abuses and injustice.
Check out their website for specific information on how they work to protect water, fix mining laws, control corporations and put people and ecosystems first.
Want to know more about SENS?
The Sustainable Environment Network Society has been working in the Shuswap for 50 years, starting as a recycling group and evolving into an extremely active organization doing everything from planting bee and butterfly friendly gardens to a huge amount of public education. Their projects include decarbonizing our economy, tree planting, pesticide use reduction, river protection and a Sustainable Film Festival. There are lots of ways to get involved and help protect our environment!