Banner_web1Pittsburg => Martinez => Benicia => Rodeo => Richmond.

This is the refinery corridor in the northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area consisting of five refineries in four cities servicing Shell, Tesoro, Valero, Phillips and Chevron.

Joining a large coalition of Bay Area organizations, and led by Idle No More, Global Exchange will join four Healing Walks taking place over the next four months to bring people together who are concerned about the effects of the fossil fuel industry on our communities and to learn from one another as we walk with Mother Earth. Please join us!photo 22

Last summer, I participated in a Healing Walk in northern Alberta, through the tar sands around Ft. McMurray. This powerful experience had me touch, breath, see and feel the impacts of heavy crude extraction on the earth and on communites. It also refreshed my commitment to ‘stop the destruction, start the healing’ and re-imagine our communities free from fossil fuel impacts.

Healing walks have a long history in Native and First Nations traditions and as pilgrimages in other cultures. These Connect the Dots Healing Walks are inspired by these traditions and will take place:

Saturday April 12, Pittsburg to Martinez

Saturday May 17, Martinez to Benicia

Saturday June 14, Benicia to Rodeo

Saturday July 12, Rode to Richmond

Participate (walk, bike) together, in teams or relay groups. Do them all, just some, do the whole thing, just part. All are welcome and all are encouraged. To learn more and get the most up to date information (meeting points, times, etc) please visit the Connect the Dots website.

I’d been to the tar sands before.

In 2008, I was part of a small group of B.C. activists who went to Fort McMurray who wanted to see the devastation for ourselves, and return to Vancouver to continue our work to stop the destruction. After 3 dizzying days, a burning throat from contamination and deep sadness in my heart, I didn’t think I’d ever return, but knew I’d work to make sure that everyone saw what I did.

But I did return. Last weekend. To join the 4th annual Healing Walk. Right away, I’ll say to you, and everyone I talk to – join the Walk. Next year. Put it in your calendar. Go.

With the limited time we have to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, I felt it was important to join the Walk, to show my solidarity with the First Nation and Metis people, and the amazing activists fighting further tar sands expansion, and re-commit to the intention of the Walk – to Stop the Destruction and Start the Healing. The fierce fight to stop the KXL pipeline is so important right now – I could think of no other place to stir my rage and call to action.

There is no way that the destruction can be understood without going to Fort McMurray, without walking the streets, breathing the air and seeing the scope of the tar sands processing facilities and the tailings ‘ponds’. There is no way to understand the human impact of the tar sands extraction without hearing from communities under attack. There is no way to truly appreciate the healing the land needs without walking for 7 hours, at the pace set by First Nations elders and drummer, and stopping at four points to experience ceremony and prayer.

About 400 people from across Canada and the United States met on Friday July 5 for an afternoon of workshops at Indian Beach, Fort McMurray First Nation land, on topics ranging from educational session on pipelines (including the proposed Keystone XL), updates on First Nation legal challenges to tar sands extraction (including from Crystal Lameman, Grassroots Award recipient at Global Exchange’s Human Rights Awards, discussing the Beaver Lake Cree challenge) to First Nation culture and ceremony.

On Friday night we were graced with the story telling of Billie Joe Laboucan. Being so far north means it stays light until 10:30pm, so it was close to midnight when I crawled into bed and prepared for the Walk the next morning.

We gathered in the late morning. We were welcomed by elder Violet Clarke, we heard from First Nation leaders and allies (including Naomi Klein’s re-interpretation of ‘over burden’) and we headed off.

Seven hours of slow, meditative, paced walking in a 17km  loop (10 1/2 mi!) which passed processing facilities, tailings ponds, worker ‘housing’ and office buildings.

We waved ‘hi’ and peace signs to the passing industry trucks, and many indicated their respect back. We gasped the first time the giant smoke and flaring stacks came into view, we cried as the elders prayed over the first pond of contaminated water we reached. We appreciated the hundreds of sandwiches made and handed out by those that kept us well during the Walk. We shared bug repellant! We met new friends, talked future strategy, heard about struggle and rejoiced that we had all come together on this weekend. And by ‘we’ – I mean ‘I’.

There are amazing report back blogs and stories about the baby that was born as the Healing Walk began, the concern we felt for the people of Lac-Megantic, Quebec as news broke of the explosion of the tanker train carrying oil, and the panic we felt with reports of an oil spill just downstream on the Athabasca River. I encourage you to read them all, watch this video, take action NOW to stop Keystone XL and to join the Healing Walk in 2014.

Tar Sands extraction in northern Alberta is called many things – an environmental disaster, a carbon ‘bomb’, and it’s often likened to Tolkien’s Mordor. For someone who has been there, I think it’s an apt description. This summer, First Nations and Metis communities living at ground zero are inviting people to come together to join the fourth Healing Walk.

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Forward on Climate rally in DC, Feb 2013

As the Summer Heat actions begin across the United States, “from where fossil fuels leave the ground, to the halls of power…” to challenge the fossil fuel industry and as activists prepare “…to stand up – peacefully but firmly — to the industry that is wrecking our future,” the Healing Walk invites us to, “come and see the impacts of the tar sands and be a part of the healing.

I’m honored to be going. Sharing solidarity, ceremony and the Walk with communities on the frontlines of the tar sands is essential for me to re-commit to fight to stop the tar sands alongside those impacted by it. And also to recognize that those in power, often supported by immense corporate interests have failed to protect land, air, and water for future generations.

As the Healing Walk site says,

“No one feels this more then the people that have lived in the Athabasca River region for generations. They have watched their land get destroyed, they are forced to breathe dirty air, and in many communities they can no longer drink the water. The wildlife they have traditionally harvested are getting scarce, the fish they harvest have tumours, and the medicinal plants are disappearing along with the permanently changed landscape.”

Sign up to join the Healing Walk here.

When you join the Healing Walk, you will see the tar sands for yourself and have the opportunity to join others to heal the communities and land, and return home to take action with passion and determination. You will be amongst those directly affected by the tar sands who stand up everyday to speak on behalf of the land. You will march with Beaver Lake Cree Nation mother and tar sands fighter, Crystal Lameman, who was honored just last month at Global Exchange’s Human Rights Awards and inspired everyone in the audience with her telling words,

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Crystal Lameman received the Grassroots Award in San Francisco, May 2013

When disaster strikes it is not going to know race, color or creed. I’m here to tell you, when that happens, the greed is going to see that it cannot eat money and you cannot drink oil.  And that we all bleed the same color. …If the government and industry think that throwing money at us is going to make this better, I choose life and my children’s lives and I choose health over money.

And with the news of the planet hitting 400 parts per million of CO2, a number way beyond the limit of what is needed to maintain a healthy planet, her words are even more prescient.

Take-ActionTAKE ACTION!

Details about the events and logistics for July 5th and & 6th are straightforward and lots of support is being provided for accommodations and transportation. Sign up now.

  • Please be in touch if you want to join me July 5th & 6th on the Healing Walk. Together we’ll come back ready to Beat the Heat this summer, fight the Keystone XL pipeline, work for climate justice and stop the tar sands.