FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2024
Cheam / Pelólxw Territory (Rosedale, B.C. CANADA) – This is the second toxic Hope Slough spill in as many months. In September, a toxic waste discharge on the Hope Slough killed thousands of juvenile salmon at the site of a fish habitat restoration project from Cheam and Sqwá First Nations. Through Cheam’s ongoing water quality monitoring efforts another toxic waste discharge was just discovered.
Through investigation by our staff & land guardians, we discovered a pipe spewing industrial waste into a ditch, dumping it into the fish habitat of Hope Slough. The pipe and waste have been recorded and documented on video. Adult Coho salmon are currently migrating through the slough to their spawning grounds. Evidence of this waste discharge can be seen for several kilometres downstream. This pipe is a permanent fixture which leads us to believe that this is not a one-time offense but an ongoing polluter to these environmentally crucial waterways.
Cheam once again is covering the cost of the cleanup with RAM Environmental through their own resources as the provincial Ministry of Environment has declined to respond. We lift our hands to Environment Climate Change Canada who had officers on site within the hour.
Cheam calls on the Ministry of Environment to acknowledge and step up the efforts to protect these waterways and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Video footage 1 is available for download here
Video footage 2 is available for download here
About Cheam First Nation – Cheam is an ancient village site and modern-day home to the Cheam people. Cheam is traditionally part of the Pelólxw tribe of Stó:lō Xwelmexw peoples and the larger Coast Salish Indigenous Peoples of the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Northern Washington, USA. The Cheam assert inherent title and rights over a vast territory and have never surrendered or ceded their lands. Many Cheam people continue to practice their ancient beliefs, traditions and ceremonies despite the impacts and injustices of colonialism. Cheam people are working towards a healthy, prosperous future for their people and generations to come.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Harmony Poisson
d) 604-745-8008
c) 778-889-6336
[email protected]
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