Paddle for the Peace

Join us to celebrate the precious Peace River Valley

13th Annual Paddle for the Peace

Saturday July 14, 2018

 Bring your canoes, kayaks or rafts and participate in a leisurely paddle down a portion of the incredibly scenic Peace River Valley.

Even if you don’t have watercraft, please feel free to join us on shore at the launch or takeout.

When:
Saturday, July 14th, 2018

Registration:
In person, at the event 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
$10 per person; 13 and under free.

Launch:
12 noon at the Halfway River Bridge on Hwy 29 between Fort St. John and Hudson’s Hope, BC.

Free hot breakfast:
9 – 11 a.m. at the launch site.  Sponsored by West Moberly First Nations.

Take out:
Bear Flat on Hwy 29, approximately 1.5 hr paddle downstream of the launch site. (There is a shuttle bus available to bring you back to get your vehicle from the launch site.)

Free BBQ lunch:

At the take-out, Bear Flat. Starting at approximately 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by Prophet River First Nation.

Directions to the morning celebration:

• From Hudson’s Hope or Fort St. John take Highway 29
• Halfway River bridge  is 25 minutes from Fort St. John towards Hudson’s Hope.  You will see the traffic and signs.
• From Prince George take Highway 29 at Chetwynd towards Hudson’s Hope.
•  Halfway River bridge is approximately 30 minutes from Hudson’s Hope towards Fort St. John.

Important Safety Notes

• This is a family-oriented, alcohol-free event.
• This year’s Paddle will take approximately 1 .5 hours on the river;  participants must remember to bring snacks, water, sunscreen, rain gear, etc.
• Life jackets are mandatory for all participants. Please bring any extra life jackets you may have to share with others.
• Be prepared for the elements – it may be hot, rainy.. who knows – so pack for all weather.
• Launch and takeout points will be well marked and managed by traffic control people.
• Motor boats accompany the flotilla in case anyone gets into trouble.
• A shuttle will take paddlers back to the launch location.

Sponsors:
This event is organized and sponsored jointly by the Peace Valley Environment Association, West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations.

Join us!
This is a wonderful opportunity to gather with hundreds of others who appreciate the river and want to show solidarity to First Nations on their continuing court action against this project as well as come out to enjoy a wonderful gathering on our beautiful river while we still can.

We will hold 50/50 draws at the launch and takeout to help support the PVEA and PVLA’s outstanding expenses associated with participating in the British Columbian Utilities Commission assessment of Site C.

Additionally, there will be an opportunity to purchase, or contribute towards the purchase of a Yellow Stake.  Your name will be added to a yellow stake that is posted at Ken and Arlene Boon’s property in the valley and the funds are used to support First Nations’ court action against this devastating and unnecessary project. See the “I have a stake in the Peace” website for more information.

Please share this invite with your friends! 🙂

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Help support PVEA’s work to protect the Peace Valley by purchasing one of renowned local artist, Cindy Vincent’s, gorgeous canvas prints ‘Peace River’.  A heartfelt thanks out to this amazing artist who so generously supports our campaign.
https://keepingthepeace.wordpress.com/purchase-a-painting/

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Background Information:

Paddle for the Peace is a joint project of the West Moberly First Nations (WMFN), Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) and the Peace Valley Environment Association (PVEA).

The Peace River Valley is currently under threat by the Site C dam. The dam will flood 83 km of the valley; and the river would be widened by up to 5 times in places, washing away over 30,000 acres of farmland and over 17,000 acres of boreal forest.

For up-to-date information on the many issues of concern with Site C, please visit the Peace Valley Landowner Association website.  You will find links to reports from experts as well as updates on what’s going on with construction at the site. Donations can also be made through the site.

For continual up-to-date information on the campaign, joint PVEA on Facebook at Peace Valley Environment Association or on Twitter @SavePeaceValley. You can also follow Peace Valley Landowner Association on Facebook.

The Peace Valley Environment Association(PVEA) was formed in 1975 to counter BC Hydro and Power Authority’s original proposal to build the Site C dam. Many original PVEA members were farmers and ranchers, but membership broadened to include residents from a variety  of interests and backgrounds, both rural and urban. The Lieutenant-Governor in Council denied the original application for the hydroelectric project in 1983, but predicted population growth and BC Hydro’s estimated energy demands have brought the threat to the Peace River Valley to the forefront again and construction of the massive Site C dam has commenced.

The West Moberly First Nations (WMFN) is a member of the Dunne-Za (Beaver), and are signatories of Treaty 8, along with Saulteau, Doig River, Halfway River, Blueberry River, Prophet River and Fort Nelson First Nations. Many WMFN members live on the West Moberly Indian Reserve, at the west end of Moberly Lake, north of Chetwynd, as well as other communities in Northeast BC.

Both the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations are pursuing court action to prevent construction of Site C with a hearing on their request for an injunction to stop construction scheduled to be heard in July 2018.

We do not take advance registration for this event.  You register upon arrival.  There will be speakers who will begin presenting likely around 11:15 a.m.

Be sure to bring a rain jacket, chair and/or blanket to sit on at the launch and takeout!  Don’t forget your water bottles too!  Looking forward to seeing you all!

For a taste of what the Paddle is like, please view this excellent video by Damien Gillis of the Common Sense Canadian:  http://commonsensecanadian.ca/VIDEO-detail/video-paddle-for-peace-builds-momentum-against-site-c-dam-david-suzuki-damien-gillis/