Tuesday, Oct. 28 makes history for the Yukon, as a huge white tank crossed Naataase Heen, the river at Carcross. It’s at the headwaters of the Yukon River (Shaw nulth hini, water that comes from the mountains, is the translation).
I am sure this tank is for the new liquefied natural gas generators in Whitehorse.
If so, then I would have liked to stand at the bridge, drum in hand and maybe have stopped them a couple minutes, maybe a prayer, a moment of silence, too, reflect the significant change this leads us to.
Engineers, ATCO, NorthwesTel, Highways and Public Works - everyone was there when I drove over this morning to see the tank crossing the bridge at Carcross.
I became angry and sad at the same time and rushed to get pictures.
The risks and benefits are too great in my view. I risk being the fool for ever speaking against oil and gas as the way for us to go, because the decision was made before we got to public consultation part. I believe in alternative ways to create energy.
The benefits are to the big companies who trudge on as if the bumble bees have no right to clean living too. Governments blaze the trail for them by stripping legislation, undermining First Nation people and, ignoring the public.
There’s a pressure for more power, so fast: raise the Southern Lakes, connect a power line from Skagway, build LNG generators (which means that much more stuff coming through our community), along with Carcross’s planned resort, new lakefront lots, etc. There is no plan.
Tutshi Lake (or Black/Charcoal Lake, translated) is along the South Klondike Highway. We have many concerns in our area, water being foremost.
Water is alive. It has memory. It’s the most mysterious substance. It is sacred, if you will, and we all need it to live. I love water!
We lost a lot when the control structure went in at Lewes River and Marsh Lake, salmon being the big one. Muskrats too. Imagine the change at that time!
Colleen James
Carcross