Walk 4 the Salish Sea

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Sunday, May 28th, 2017

The world is in ecological and social crisis. Now is the time to walk the talk on climate change, Indigenous rights and local democracy – before it’s too late.

We’re calling on defenders of this coast, its people, and the climate and our local democracy to join us on the Walk 4 the Salish Sea! – a four day march against Tar Sands, Kinder Morgan and all fossil fuel expansion in the absence of social licence, Indigenous consent, and ecological balance.

From May 25th-28th, we will march from Songhees territory in Victoria to the Kinder Morgan terminal on Tsleil-Waututh territory in Burnaby to show our support for and solidarity with the 22 municipalities, 59 First Nations and hundreds of thousands of British Columbians who oppose the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain expansion.

The mobilization will include large marine wildlife puppets, roaming bank actions, evening programs, info workshops, ceremony, reconciliation/talking circles, a rally aboard BC Ferries, and nightly entertainment. The Walk will end with a Freedom Festival featuring mass civil-disobedience teach-ins right at the gates of the Kinder-Morgan Terminal. Accommodations and communal dinners will be provided for registered participants.

Allies are encouraged to make the entire journey or to join for any portion of the walk they can. Participants are welcome to walk, run, bike, roller-blade, skateboard, paddle or use wheelchairs – any human-powered, ecologically-sound mode of transportation is welcome.

People of all ages and abilities, are welcomed to join The Walk 4 the Salish Sea! for whatever duration and distance best matches your fitness level and plans for the weekend of Thursday May 25-28th.

This mass mobilization against tar sands and Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion for decarbonzation and decolonization and an urgently needed transition from dangerous fossil fuel dependency begins at Mile “0” at the beginning of the Trans Canada Highway in Victoria to the Kinder Morgan terminal in Burnaby.

NOTE: All times approximate. Walk may travel swifter or slower due to numbers, traffic and weather.

Here is the outline of our route with a more detailed itinerary tba.

Day 1 Thursday May 25th

Mile “0” (Lekwungen territory) to Island View Beach, up the Lochside trail ( access Ardesier St, off Douglas).
Walking distance: 23 km, ~6 hours.

8am – Mile “0” Welcome/blessing from Lekwungn elder Joan Morris
Ceremony, short speeches, songs by performing artist Luke Wallace and the legendary Raging Grannies.
9 am – the Walk departs, up Douglas to Ardesier to the Galloping Goose, heading northbound.
12:40 pm – Walk arrives at Lochside Park for lunch.
3:30 pm – Walk arrives at Island View Beach ( W̱SÁNEĆ territory).

7 pm – Tsawout First Nations Gathering Strength gymnasium, 7728 Tetayut Rd, Saanichton. ‘All Nations Against Kinder Morgan’ Dinner and fundraiser.

Speakers include: Tsawout Elders Belinda Claxton and Mavis Underwood, Elizabeth May, Tsartlip Chief Don Tom, Adam Olsen, Caitlyn Vernon, former Douglas Treaty co-ordinator Eric Pelkey Tsartlip carver Charles Elliot, Alicia Cormier. Performances by: Phil Vernon, Bill Henderson, Luke Wallace. and more. See the facebook event page here.

Day 2 Friday May 26th

Island View Beach to Ladner United Church (Tsawassen First Nations Territory).
Walking Distance: 30 km, ~7.5 hours.

7 am – Morning circle and breakfast.
8 am – 12:00, Walk to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
1 pm – Ferry departs for Tswawassen.
1:30 – Oil-Free Salish Sea rally aboard BC Ferries including Sisters of Mercy Choir, Raging Grannies, Luke Wallace and speakers.

2:45- 5:45 pm Walk to Ladner United Church.
-Dinner, talking circle and sleep.

Day 3 Saturday May 27th

Ladner- East Van (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm /Musqeaum and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nations Territory).
Walking Distance: 18km, ~5 .5 hours.

7 am – Morning Circle and Breakfast.
8 am – Walk to Ladner Exchange- take bus through Massey Tunnel.
Cross Knight St. Bridge, up Victoria.
12:20-1:20 – Lunch at John Hendry Park in East Van.
3 pm -Arrive at Grandview Cavalry Baptist Church ( to be confirmed).

Day 4 Sunday May 28th

Grandview Park to Kinder Morgan Westridge Terminal, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqeaum First Nations territory.

Walking Distance: 10 km, ~4 hours.

9 am – Meet Grandview Park (1657 Charles St, @ Commercial, Vancouver) Ceremony, drumming, short speeches, welcoming of Walkers.

9:30am – Walk leaves along E. Hastings to Kinder Morgan Westridge Terminal.

Join spots:
11:30am: East Hastings St. @ Ingleton Ave. (3802 Hastings St, Burnaby)
12:45pm: East Hastings St. @ Holdom Ave, Burnaby (Capitol Hill Elementary School, 5697-5801 Hastings St, Burnaby)
1:30pm: Westridge Park (320 Cliff Ave, Burnaby)

1:30 – 2:30pm: The Walk will proceed to the gates of the Kinder Morgan Westridge Marine Terminal for drumming, decoration of the gates and symbolic blockade

2:30 – 5pm FOSSIL FUEL FREEDOM FEST: Celebrate Resistance! Westridge Park (320 Cliff Ave, Burnaby)
Includes infotables, music/dancing, kid’s activities, Indigenous rights, climate justice, Kinder Morgan pipeline and mass non-violent direct action teach-in. Volunteers needed! Please email: [email protected]
Speakers / Music to include:
– Coast Salish welcome
– Grand Chief Stewart & Joan Phillip, UBCIC
– Slam Poets
– Brandon Gabriel & Kachina Bige, Kwantlan First Nation
– Music by Luke Wallace & other awesome people!
– Secwepmc First Nation reps
– Elizabeth May
– Briony Penn (Orca Soundings)
– Mayor Derek Corrigan (to be confirmed)
– Kennedy Stewart (to be confirmed)

Registration information at:
http://walk4salishsea.ca/register-to-walk/