The shíshálh Nation’s cultural director, Candace Campo, has been touring for 10 days with Greenpeace in an effort to raise awareness about drilling planned by Shell in the Arctic.

Campo was one of six First Nations people chosen for the voyage onboard the largest vessel Greenpeace operates, the MV Esperanza. The ship left Vancouver on May 19 for a 10-day return trip to Haida Gwaii that saw Campo and other delegates speak to coastal communities along the way about the drilling issue.

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Shell wants to expand their Arctic drilling operation and the company is close to obtaining final approvals, having recently secured the right to do exploratory drilling off the coast of Alaska, which is slated to start this July.

If the exploration proves successful and an expanded operation is approved, it will mean many more tankers carrying oil along the B.C. coast, which has Campo concerned.

“I chose to take a stand to protect the Salish Sea from an environmental hazard such as an oil spill,” Campo told Coast Reporter this week.

“I see this as an inherent responsibility as a shíshálh person and an act of sustaining a clean and sustainable environment for our community and future.”

Her role on the ship was to communicate and connect with First Nation communities along the route about the shíshálh Nation’s environmental concerns relating to Shell’s plan.

“This trip is very meaningful for me and the shíshálh Nation,” Campo said while onboard the Esperanza.

“We need to step outside our own comforts and daily lives and look at the global picture. Climate change, potential and existing oil spills are occurring right now, and people and animals are enduring hardship as a result. It is necessary work and a privilege to work with Greenpeace.”