A field report from coast Salish territory on the irreconcilable conflict between the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project. There are 73 remaining Southern Resident Killer Whales in existence. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation consider the survival of these orcas and the survival of their people to be the same thing. The government insists a compromise can be met. The Tsleil-Waututh reject this notion, and many are prepared to die in defense of their “wolves of the sea”. Brandi Morin reports.

Further reading:

• Losing language, children, culture: Parallels drawn between endangered orcas and Indigenous experiences, CBC News
• Ottawa approves new $10B loan guarantee for the Trans Mountain pipeline project, Canadian Press
• Indigenous land defender sentenced to jail time over Trans Mountain pipeline protest, CTV News
• Trans Mountain pipeline insurers dropping like flies, National Observer
• UN committee criticizes Canada over handling of Indigenous pipeline opposition, Canadian Press
• Trans Mountain pipeline expansion cost climbs 70%, now $21.4B, Canadian Press

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Thank you to Gordon Dick of Tsleil-Waututh Nation for the use of his music Coast Salish Anthem in this episode.

Additional Music is by Audio Network