KENT COUNTY, N.B. – First Nations residents taking part in a land reclamation ceremony on Saturday said they’re trying to protect the environment.
“This is a proud moment in Aboriginal history and I’m so proud to be a part of this moment,” said Debbie Cyr.
Fifty plaques were prepared to be staked on unoccupied crown land around Kent County. The plaques bear the date and the name of the person staking the claim, and represented one square kilometer.
Residents who had plaques said they were reclaiming land that’s rightfully theirs.
Cyr said they’re trying to protect the land, which is something she thinks the provincial government has not been doing.
“It’s kind of like your child. We trusted the government to look after our children – our land and we feel that they haven’t been acting responsible in taking care of it properly. So today, we are taking it back to look after it ourselves,” she said.
The David Alward government has been under pressure to stop shale gas exploration. SWN Resources has permission to explore Kent County and say their exploration work is environmentally friendly.
However, people worried about the environmental cost of shale gas development have been blocking SWN’s work.
For the most part, there have been peaceful protests.
However, violence erupted last month, when RCMP moved in on a blockade on Route 134 near Rexton.
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Dozens were arrested and several police vehicles were destroyed.
Saturday morning, people left in a yellow school bus to stake their claims.
“People aren’t here today to talk about money. They’re here to talk about selling land. They’re here to talk about being stewards – caring for the land,” explained Willi Nolan.
Dozens showed up along route 11 in Kent County to stake their claim, including John Levi, who is known as a warrior chief.
Levi says he’s committed to peaceful protesting and that the plaques show people aren’t backing down from stopping shale gas development.
“We don’t know if there’s any legal effect but we’re taking it upon ourselves and we’re going to be staking the lands,” he said.
The Chief of Elsipotog, Aaron Sock, said SWN will back exploring in Kent County on Monday.
Levi said if they do come back, people will be ready.
“It’s up to them really. but we’re going to be here. We’re going to be waiting for them,” he said.
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