Demonstrators near Overlanders Bridge on Thursday, Nov. 10 were bringing attention to the issue of water and the standoff between the U.S. government and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - A group of locals took their message of solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to Overlanders Bridge yesterday afternoon.

On the traffic island at the northern end of Overlanders Bridge at least 40 demonstrators gathered, chanting and beating drums. Many carried signs with messages of First Nations solidarity, anti-corporate warnings or messages about protecting water resources as dozens of cars honked support.

Evelyn Camille, a Tk’emlups te Secwepemc elder and participant, says this is an issue for everyone, not just the ones living near the standoff at Cannon Ball, North Dakota.

“The water we protect is for all people, not only First Nations people drink water,” she says. “I’m not here for my health, I’m here for all my children and grandchildren and the future generations’ health. It is important for all future generations."

Along with Camille were some future generations, as her daughter, granddaughter and grandson were all participating as well. While the Dakota Access Pipeline is the one Standing Rock is standing against, Camille is concerned about local pipelines affecting local water.

“The Kinder Morgan pipeline is coming through and that really is a concern to me,” she says. “I don’t want them here. Any leaks will impact the waters.”

Other participants echoed Camille’s concern for future generations. Snutetkwe Manual, a mother of two, says she’s concerned about corporations using the land’s natural resources.

“Water is really important to all of us; for everyone, all races, all of our relations. All the way from Alaska all the way down to Argentina,” she says. “We all need to come together and work together.”

Thompson Rivers University law student Arden Mathieson and her friends were on hand not just as solidarity with Standing Rock, but to support local First Nations.

“One of the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation report is that law schools specifically take ownership and raise people up, especially support our indigenous people in Canada,” she says. “Myself and a few other of my classmates have come to do that because it’s not being implemented in our curriculum and we want to do that.”

Thursday's event follows similar demonstrations in the Okanagan.

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