A Have an idea for a story? Mi news@theotherpress.ca Pipeline protests in Vancouver >» Wet’suwet’en people divided over building of pipeline Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief ecently, a number of protests and blockades have occurred throughout Vancouver to protest the building of a gas pipeline throughout Northern British Columbia. The company Coastal GasLink plans to build a 670 km natural gas pipeline from the Northern BC area of Dawson Creek and is estimated to cost $6.6 billion. The plan to build is controversial. Many say the pipeline goes through traditional Native territory, and this has been the cause of many demonstrations in Metro Vancouver. On Wednesday February 12, opposers of the pipeline gathered in Downtown Vancouver in order to block the intersection going to the Granville Street Bridge in protest. The demonstration caused traffic disruptions from both directions. No arrests were made, and the bridge was reopened later that day. More demonstrations broke out throughout the week with hundreds of protestors gathering in East Hastings near Main street in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs on Tuesday February 18. According to Global News, they marched toward the Clark Drive entrance to Port Vancouver and blocked the intersection for two hours. That led to a backlog of about 40 ships waiting to load or unload. On February 24, West Coast Express rides were suspended due to pipeline protesters blocking the tracks. To some, the pipeline is a trespassing on Wet’suwet’en lands. The protesters state that they are in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en and the hereditary chiefs who oppose the building route of the pipeline. According to City News 1130, protestors have their reasons for standing in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en. “The chiefs demands have been clear Illustration by Athena Little that the province must cease construction of the Coastal Gaslink pipeline; the RCMP must withdraw from Wet’suwet’en lands, and government, the RCMP and CGL must respect Wet’suwet’en law and governance,” reads a news release from protestors. ¢ What's going down at Douglas? ¢ MSP premiums eliminated * College invites contractors to complete Coquitlam campus renovations ..and more To others, the pipeline would create jobs and opportunities for Wet’suwet’en people. According to the Vancouver Sun, the project has support from five out of six elected band councils who have all signed benefit agreements with the gas company to exchange support for financial and employment benefits—promising an estimated $1 billion in benefits. One who supports the argument of opportunities is Troy Young, a Witset band member with a family business who works with Coastal GasLink and whose grandmother was a former hereditary chief. “People in Canada have the right to protest. This is a democracy. It is unfortunate that they are protesting with only half the story being told,” he said. “I don't feel the elected councils are being given a fair voice in this matter. From discussions I have had, the elected chiefs recognize that employment can be a multi-generational gain for the family. People working on a pipeline can send their children to school to provide for better opportunities in the future. The elected chiefs want to break the bondage of poverty that exists within our communities,’ Young told PostMedia News. Wing Chief of the Grizzly house, Andrew George, has called for an all clan meeting regarding the protests and the division it has caused the Wet’suwet’en community. “What currently is going on does not reflect the true governance of the Wet’suwet’en, on both sides. We are afraid something bad might happen,” he told Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). Douglas names Dr. Evelyn Voyageur Honorary Fellow » Voyageur receives Douglas’ highest honour Atiba Nelson Staff Reporter Sn 20u1, Douglas College has awarded a community member a special designation recognizing outstanding achievement or distinguished service by an individual on a community, provincial, national, or international scale. According to the Douglas College website, the Honorary Fellow designation is the highest award the College bestows on individuals and is typically presented to an individual during the winter and summer Douglas commencement ceremonies. According to the Honorary Fellows policy found on the Douglas College graduation page: Douglas believes that the Fellow will “serve to inspire graduates and reflect the values of the College.” The Honorary Fellow for the winter 2020 commencement was announced during the February 19, 2020 ceremony: the recipient is Dr. Evelyn Voyageur. Dr. Voyageur is a trained nurse and an Elder of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. A residential school student during her early years, Voyageur went on to complete a nursing degree and a PhD in Psychology. In recent years, Voyageur has received numerous accolades for her work—including the 2018 Indspire Award for outstanding career achievement, and a honorary doctorate from Thompson Rivers University. Voyageur joins a group of thirteen individuals who have received the Honorary Fellow designation by Douglas College. The first fellows were Bill Hughes and Tim Agg. Agg, the executive director of PLEA Community Services Society of BC, was recognized for his advocacy in youth justice. Hughes, a New Westminster native, was a long-time radio announcer for CKNW, now Global News Radio 980 CKNW (fun fact: the ‘NW’ in CKNW stands for New Westminster, the original home of the radio station). Additionally, Hughes and his family are the namesakes for Douglas College’s New Westminster library. Other past recipients include former New Westminster Police Chief and current Chief Officer of Metro Vancouver Transit Police Dave Jones, and Elaine Golds—the Port Moody native whose works include strong advocacy in environmental conservation. An Honorary Fellow selection committee—comprised of Douglas College community members—meets to decide the nominated individuals. The assignment of the Honorary Fellow designation is confidential until the announcement at commencement, and previously unsuccessful individuals are reviewed to see if their nominations are worthy of designation. Interestingly, Douglas also has a clause in the Honorary Fellow policy that allows the College the right to revoke any Honorary Fellow designation conferred—a stipulation that is not known to have occurred.