An on-going theme from the Cohen Commission has been the lack of consultation with the First Nations with regards to the Fraser River Sockeye. For a government to consciously not ask people who have survived thousands of years how to protect this resource means that they are not interested in preserving the salmon, nor does it appear that they respect the culture that has existed here.

This issue is so serious that National Assembly of First Nations Chief’s released a statement about the what was has been revealed at the Cohen Commission, read it here.

Journalist Damien Gillis also calls on a united resistance, similar to what the Oil Tanker Pipeline resistance movement has done.  The global Occupy Movement has a role here, in Vancouver we need to step up take this challenge and show the people what we can achieve.

I think we have the choice to listen to the people who lived on this land before us, their message is important and they way they express it is even more powerful.

Hey Mom/Dad… Do Santa’s Elves know how to make Revolutionaries? If so, have them Occupy the Chimney at midnight; once they get here, they’ll be stockings at the Infrastructure, Vegan, Gluten Free cookies and Raw Milk at the Food Tent for them. Also, have them check with the medics before they come to media because we want to Live Stream if they happened to incur any resistance on the way in. They can’t forget, they’ll need to research at the info tent, grab a hot drink, relax and rest-up before tomorrow’s Direct Action.

I Love you Mom and Dad, if I get arrested, I’ll text you!

Remember Wild Salmon are a Gift and Merry Fishmas!

Here’s an Activist Christmas Song, the melody you may recognize.

Eddie Gardner and Wild Salmon Warriors visit MP Mark Strahl’s office on Thursday December 15th as part of a number of actions that coincided with the Cohen Commission.

The floating tent is dedicated to all the Wild Salmon Peaceful Warriors out there, a gift to commemorate their efforts to this point. The concept of the floating tent is a creative response to injunctions made against many occupy movements under the basis of permanent structures. So legally what is a floating tent with Salmon painted on it? Only a select few managed to make it to the occupation on Monday December 19th, which coincided with the final day of our occupation, however with a small and dedicated team we were able to attain many small victories during our three day pop-up occupation; including a peaceful co-existence with the commissionaires, the DFO building security.  They actually helped me from getting a city parking ticket. We thank the DFO employees who respected our right to protest as well as those who stopped by for conversation.

While some of the testimony we heard at the Cohen Commission was particularly disturbing to hear, we focused our energies on what type of messaging would be in the best interest for the salmon.  In particular, was the importance of independent science.  When we hear that Scientists who are doing their work are at risk of reprisals, that should be very concerning.  In addition, information obtained via Cohen Commission, shows an internal email by the the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Public Relations Team stating they are winning the PR war in the media. This demonstrates that the Agency is more interested in counter spin to protect profits for the Fish Farm industry vs trying to protect the Wild Salmon.

For someone who is relatively new to Environmental Activism, I don’t have the long term emotional investment and I can’t imagine the anger and frustration that people who were once dependent on the Salmon may be experiencing.  However, myself and the other occupiers who know that non violence and creative response are the only tools we have.  So what do occupiers do when left to their own devices? A gentle floating salmon tent kiss dedicated to those in the DFO building who realize that salmon is a gift and for those who aren’t acting in the best interest of Salmon and the people, its a reminder to them that we are close at hand to have a conversation, but that we also have our eye on them as well.

In celebration of our last day of our daily occupation at the Department of Fisheries and in light of the disturbing yet positive results for the people from the testimony at the Cohen Commission. Now is the time to recognize and celebrate everyone’s efforts. While there is still more work ahead, we must take pause to what has happened and how far we have come so far. It is these moments that we live and work hard for, you have earned it.

Everyone is invited including a live video stream at OccupyVancouver.com

To support this exciting and historic last day of the Cohen Commission, we have an exciting programming line-up.

MONDAY DECEMBER 19th

LOCATION: Department of Fisheries Office: 401 Burrard Street, Vancouver (Burrard and Pender)

8am – Set-up
8am – Begin Art Making, Music and Performances, to happen all day
9am – Set-up and Opening Report from the Cohen Commission
10am – Wild Salmon News, updates and interviews
10:15 – Open Programming
11am - Wild Salmon News, updates and interviews
Noon – Wild Salmon Victory Dance Party – Lunchtime Edition
Noon – Wild Salmon Workgroup Meeting
1pm – Wild Salmon News, updates and interviews
1:15 – Open Programming
2pm - Wild Salmon News, updates and interviews
2:15 – Open Programming
3pm – Wild Salmon News, updates and interviews
3:15 – Open Programming
4pm – Wild Salmon News, updates and interviews
4:15 pm Open Programing
5pm Wild Salmon Occupy Vancouver- Dance Party!

Also in support of the citizen salmon samplers and the independent scientists who are searching for the truth under duress from corporate scientists, we dedicate these dance to them. So dress up in your lab coats and transform into an independent scientist, Wild Salmon Spawner or a Wild Salmon Warrior

Tales from day #1, as the Wild Salmon Occupy Vancouver. The 8am set-up included the location surrounded by 6 motorcycle police officers, 4 police cruisers and a handful of guys in dark suits with earpieces, but maybe that’s just the neighbourhood.  Pretty good surveillance for two dudes and a husky sheppard putting up a tent; I’m deeming it an ambassador’s escort, thank you very much!

The day started off quiet, while onsite at DFO. Hearings looking into the collapse of the Wild Salmon were happening at the Cohen Commission re-started that day.  While occupying the plaza outside of the DFO Pacific Region office at 401 Burrard, I spray painted a piece called “Wild Salmon is a Gift” .  As I was creating this piece, damming testimony into the government cover up of the discovery of ISA virus was happening.  In retrospect the juxtaposition between the beauty of celebrating Salmon, while hearing how our government has been treating our precious resource is this seemingly this narrow margin between victory and tragedy.  However there is nothing to negotiate, I had to take them both.

DFO employees from as high as the 15th floor mentioned they saw our occupation from their offices. The security guards stationed in the lobby, sat on the edge of their seat as I would pull random items from my Van throughout my creative occu-process. Their faces perturbed as I proceeded to pull out; spray paints, brushes, a power amplifier, a car battery with an inverter, easels, bear themed art work, a dog leash, camera, tripod, wooden chess-set, rocket stools and wild salmon propaganda.

The highlight of the day was when the building security guards were frantically waving their arms at me; ironically only to make me aware a parking officer was about to write me a ticket.  I pleaded with the parking officer, he waived my ticket and said, just pay for the lost time and then do a good deed for society.  I’m still thinking what that good deed should be.

In any event we had a great time on day 1, Jordan and I had a great conversation, Dana did livestream, Maxim, Sean and Robin did art making and held the space, while John P. took photos.

After the cohen commission, the Wild Salmon Warriors dropped by for a visit, and even Alexandra Morton stopped for a LiveStream interview by Dana.  She was fascinated by the experience, however I know many were inspired by her presence; what a wonderful gift exchange.

2 more days of Wild Salmon gifts to be revealed

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

MEDIA RELEASE

Wild Salmon Are a Gift: Save Them. Occupy Vancouver in Solidarity with Wild Salmon Actions Across BC

Occupy Vancouver, Unceded Coast Salish Territory, Vancouver, December 14, 2011 — Salmon advocates across British Columbia are taking action to demand protection of wild salmon, coinciding with the re-start of Cohen Commission and hearings on the Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) virus.

“Around the world, our oceans are threatened because of irresponsible practices of industry and government, solely for the motivation of profit for a few foreign owned companies,” states Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner, Wilderness Committee.

“Now in BC, the discovery of the deadly ISA virus associated with industrial open-net fish farming is forcing us to examine our priorities as a nation. Are we going to choose corporate interests, or are we going to take immediate steps to protect pacific wild salmon and our oceans?”

Salmon advocates say that ISA is to salmon what mad cow disease is to cows. The recent discovery in sockeye species has been called and “ecological crisis” by scientists in Washington state.

In 2004, a post-graduate researcher Molly Kibenge, co-authored a report with DFO that found the ISA virus in 100% of Fraser sockeye (Cultus) tested. While, the DFO never revealed this critical information to the Cohen Inquiry, Kibenge’s husband, also an ISAv researcher, defied DFO and delivered the work to the Cohen Commission, who are investigating the collapse of the Fraser River Sockeye.

Occupy Vancouver stands in solidarity with wild salmon actions which have happened in Nanaimo, Tofino, Lillooet and Victoria. Demonstrations move to the Fraser Valley on December 15, when protesters will gather at MP Mark Strahl’s, Chilliwack office at 7388 Vedder Road.

The Vancouver demonstrations will follow, beginning on December 15^th.

Thursday Dec 15^th 8am – 5pm, DFO Building, 401 Burrard Street

Thursday Dec 15^th 8pm, Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver Convention Center

Friday Dec 16^th 8am -5pm, DFO Building, 401 Burrard Street

Monday Dec 19^th 8am – 5pm, DFO Building, 401 Burrard Street

The debate regarding the impact of industrial, foreign-owned fish farming in BC has spanned almost 20 years and has touched issues of science and the balance of our ecosystem, Indigenous rights, constitutional jurisdictional issues and accusations of conflict of interest in the DFO. Pacific wild salmon play a vital role in British Columbia’s ocean and river habitats, including sustenance for over 200 native species that rely on wild salmon as part of their diets.

Wild salmon stakeholders, including the Stó:lō Nation, Stó:lō Tribal Council, Research and Resource Management, Salmon Talks Lillooet, the Wilderness Committee, Friends of Clayquot Sound, Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture, and Pacific Coast Wild Salmon Society, believe wild salmon are a critical element for the survival our west coast aquatic ecosystem and call for the removal of open-net fish farms from west coast waters.

###

If you would like more information or would like to schedule an interview, please contact:

Communications Committee
Occupy Vancouver
communications@occupyvancouver.com

J Peachy, Wild Salmon Workgroup, Occupy Vancouver, 604 760 5957
occupywildsalmon@gmail.com

“Around the world, our oceans are threatened because of irresponsible practices of industry and government, solely for the motivation of profit for a few foreign owned companies,” states Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner, Wilderness Committee.

“Now in BC, the discovery of the deadly ISA virus associated with industrial open-net fish farming is forcing us to examine our priorities as a nation. Are we going to choose corporate interests, or are we going to take immediate steps to protect pacific wild salmon and our oceans?” 

@occupysalmon