Courtesy of Yes! Magazine:
If we keep waiting for change, it's never going to come," Ta'Kaiya tells the people gathered for and Idle No More event in Courtenay, British Columbia.
At 11 years old, Ta'Kaiya has become something of an icon for the Canadian movement for environmental justice on First Nations lands.
In July 2011,she attempted to deliver a letter outlining the community's concerns to Enbridge, the company that is planning to build the proposed Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline. She was escorted off the company’s property by security guards.
"I don’t know what they find so scary about me,” she said. “I just want them to hear what I have to say.”
Now Ta'Kaiya stands among the hundreds protesting Canda's C-45 bill, which many say jeopardizes the land rights of First Nations people.
This young environmentalist is rapidly become the face of the anti-tar sands movement, not to mention an articulate representative of the First nations people, and the the energy companies have every right to find her "scary" because she is just brimming with talent.
Here check out her song "Shallow Waters."
I know right? This young lady is going to be a huge public relations nightmare for these Canadian energy companies.
And I love it!
What an AMAZING child!!! She obviously has a very tender soul.
ReplyDeleteThey're always afraid of someone they can't control by blackmail or economic threats, or as a last resort, to buy off in order to shut them up. They'd do well to listen this special young lady, or they will be forced to spend millions on PR in damage control and repair AFTER they've already stepped on their own dicks a few times.
ReplyDeleteThis ain't the 60's. With the Internet and social media, she can fuck up a company's day by just being honest and doing her thing. They best heed the message now or pay the price later. But doing the right thing for everyone involved is always good business, even if it doesn't maximize short-term profits.
Unfortunately, CONVINCING them of long term good is almost impossible as long as the bean counters and the stockholders demand lots of return - every quarter.
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DeleteLeland, that has been the problem with unbridled capitalism since the industrial revolution of the 19th Century, and it will not change. The corporatist vision for the future extends to the next quarter profits and the next and the next, nevermind the effect upon the environment, the fallout upon the totality of this amazing Blue Marble.
Yeah, "from....", that's why I said it.
DeleteYay, Miss Blaney! The world needs a couple billion more just like you.
ReplyDeleteShine on, little lady.
I have been reading about the Idle No More movement. Good for them. We should be standing shoulder to shoulder with them. They know about this ugly pipeline that big oil wants to bring right across our aquifer. Once again, as ALWAYS, it's all about the money for a few.
The Canadians are trying to warn us. Very few are listening. They've already had leaks up there. Ask the question, why don't they take the line east or west across Canada to the coast?
You can be certain that our asshat politicians are already planning this. We, the people, will find out when the trucks start rolling in. By then, it will be too late. The time to act is right now.
By the way my Canadian brothers and sisters, I've never thought that you all live in igloos. I'm damn proud to have you as neighbors. If it weren't for my mate and my age, I'd be a Canadian citizen right now.
Wise beyond her years!
ReplyDeleteShe spoke and performed at a "No Tanks" rally, to her, it's not just the environment, it's her way of life.
Just listen to her speak for a few moments,
Eloquent and heart wrenching!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5MgIbhqEMw
She is beautiful and I wish them success on this from a fellow Islander.
ReplyDeleteI Love Idle No More
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