The relay began in Valemount on Saturday, March 17 and will end in the Kamloops on Tuesday

Chu Chua resident Sid Jules rides next to Highway 5 between Vavenby and Clearwater on Sunday as he takes part in the Secwepemc Run for Clean Water. About 20 people started out in relays riding from Valemount the day before. They expect to finish in Kamloops on Tuesday.

A of group Indigenous people is taking part in a bicycle relay through the North Thompson Valley to raise awareness of Kinder Morgan’s plans to twin its Trans Mountain pipeline.

“We call it Secwepemc Run for Clean Water,” said spokesperson Miranda Dick, who said the group consisted of about 20 people plus supporters.

Although her mailing address is in Chase, the Secwepemc occupied a very large territory and she regards it all as her home, she said.

The relay began in Valemount on Saturday, March 17 and was due to end in the Kamloops (Tk’emlups) Indian Reserve on Tuesday, with overnight stops in Avola, Chu Chua and Whispering Pines.

READ MORE: Simpcw First Nation signs mutual benefits agreement with Kinder Morgan (May 10,2016)

Purpose of the run is to raise awareness of Kinder Morgan’s plans to twin its Trans Mountain pipeline, Dick said.

They also want to make people more aware of the pipeline company’s plans to drill under the Thompson River at Kamloops.

The group supports the actions near Camp Cloud on Burnaby Mountain as well, she added, noting that over 20 people were arrested there on Saturday.

READ MORE: RCMP move to arrest pipeline protesters (Mar. 18, 2018)

The idea for the relay came from her daughters, Dick said. Apparently they have family members in Standing Rock, the site of protests against the Dakota Access pipeline.

When asked how the protests began, the family members reported it all started with a run to raise awareness.

“So my daughters said we should try that here. As parents, we said, ‘Okay, we’ll support you.’”



newsroom@clearwatertimes.com

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