Editor:
We wish to extend our congratulations to Marilyn Baptiste.
The Goldman Prize is the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for those working to protect the environment.
It is hugely prestigious and is not given lightly. We have known and worked with Marilyn for years, as with her community and are not surprised that such an award should have gone to her.
Faced with an appallingly destructive industrial project that reflected the very worst of aggressive neo-colonialism, as Xeni Gwet’in chief she rallied the entire Tsilhqot’in Nation, and together with many allies they stopped the project and protected the land and waters to the great benefit of all of us, First Nations and settler, alike.
Xeni Gwet’in leadership, with Roger William as chief and Marilyn and Loretta Williams as councillors, carry on a tradition of working for the community in a way that sets such a high level of achievement that it is now noticed around the world.
Marilyn has said the Xeni Gwet’in were literally fighting for their lives during the effort to stop the inaptly named Prosperity/New Prosperity Mine proposals.
That does not overstate the case.
David Williams (for the board)
Executive director with Friends of the Nemaiah Valley