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December 15, 2010 + Over the Edge

Information Bulletin
First Nations’ concerns & Enbridge pipeline

BAILEY DERKSON
CONTRIBUTOR

Environmental Citizenship 101 challenges students to
develop a service project to connect what we lear in class
with the real life practice of citizenship. Our project was

to investigate and understand the attitudes and discourse
surrounding the Enbridge Pipeline
Norther Gateway, in particular to the
First Nation's community. As this is a
very extensive population, we narrowed
our population, and provided survey's
primarily within UNBC’s First Nation’s
Centre. Within the responses, the

First Nation’s were concerned with -
four major themes: economic issues,
environmental issues, local Aboriginal
land and social issues.

From these themes, there are a few
congruent concerns. Economically,
there were concerns with company
ownership of the land, and the concern
of the general economic benefits for the
regions. Environmentally, the effects of
spills both on land, in fresh water and

in salt water, general environmental
damage from the construction and
maintenance of the project, and the
impacts on the wildlife and plant
species were major concerns. In
regards to Aboriginal lands, there was a
concern with environmental effects on
the land and the impact it could have
on local economies and renewable
resources. Socially, the economic
concern towards the sudden growth and then bust on
communities and other effects of short-term employment
(crime, disease, inadequate housing) emerge amongst
the local First Nations community. Further, the distribution
of misinformation and lies, and the lack of agreements/
consultation with First Nation groups throughout the

Stop Enbridge!

affected regions are other prominent concerns addressed.

These themes present a wide spectrum of concerns,
and more. These included how the proposed project .

would directly affect them. Similar themes emerge with
similar concerns. Surveys indicated affects in numerous
ways not limited to traditional land use, economics, and
environmental issues. Major affects sought included
economic environm@ntal concerns that would emerge

if migration patterns were disturbed, if leaks and spills

Are You Getting Enough Sunshine?

Many Canadians lack the preventative power of vitamin D during winter

HANNA PETERSEN
NEWS EDITOR

Everyone is always sick and run down
during the long dark winter months.

It may not be because of germs and
boredom, but the lack of vitamin D
which our bodies naturally creates
when exposed to sunshine. Statistics
Canada claims that more than a
million Canadians face potentially
serious health problems due to a lack
of vitamin D.

In rare cases, a lack of the sunshine
vitamin can cause a dangerous
softening of the bones called rickets,
or in older people, the brittle bone
disease osteoporosis. However, the
March 2010 report concluded that
most people have enough vitamin D
in their systems for adequate bone
health, but lack enough vitamin D for
the overall health benefits and are not
obtaining enough for the preventative
qualities of the vitamin.

Research from the last few years has
linked the vitamin with preventing
different types of cancers, multiple
sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, and
the ability to fight infections. In 2007,
the Canadian Cancer Society said
that based on research adults should ©
consider increasing their. daily dosage «

- of Vitamin‘D. The society has said that Canadians should
consider taking 1,000 IU of vitamin D during the fall and
winter months when vitamin D levels are lowest.

Vitamin D is so beneficial because, according to a nutritional

Vitamin D is good for you

Scientist at the University of Toronto, Reinhold Vieth, many
cells in the body use Vitamin D to produce a molecule
which allows different cells the ability to communicate with
each other. This ability would most likely contribute to the
vitamin's preventative effects regarding cancer, as cancer is
caused by mutated cells.

occurred in rivers and the detrimental effects that could
have on the fish supply, and the current conditions of

traditional territory both as a source of survival and

recreational use.

Despite the negatives that surround the
proposed Northern Gateway pipeline
project, the survey inquired about any
possible advantages. The community
was quick to understand that the
project offers economic advantages,
particularly for the capitalist society
and the company. The other advantage
is that it has stirred community
mobilization amongst Northern
communities and increased knowledge
in environmental issues, ethics, and
awareness.

Following the uptake of these surveys,
the Environmental Citizenship Service
Group spent some time searching the
validity of these answers. The concerns
are all well expressed and valid. The
project is expected to be an economit
boost for our capitalism desires, the
company and affected cities and
provinces. However, if you care for and
respect the environment, or aboriginal
rights, the project seems to be a terrible
idea. The prospects of spills are very
real; just refer to any of Enbridge’s

Dirty Dozen spills, including the past
Michigan spill. Further, employment prospects are merely
temporary, according to Enbridge’s Northern Gateway
website, with just over a thousand being permanent position
in the pipeline’s maintenance. For more information or quick
facts targeting concerns, refer to our “Did you know” posters
found around campus.

ONLINE SOURCE

Vitamin D can also be found in
certain foods. Milk and margarine
are often fortified with vitamin D.

In winter, especially in northern
Climates like Prince George where
we are only getting a handful of
hours of weak sunlight — most of
which is spent indoors — vitamin D
levels are crucially low regardless
of fortified foods.

A definitive study of the beneficial
effects of vitamin D was launched
last year in the United States. The
$20-million study will determine
whether vitamin D and fish oil can
lower the risk of cancer, heart
disease, and stroke. The study is
set to take place over five years
and will include 20,000 participants
all over the age of 60 who have

no prior history of the ailments in
question. One group of participants
will be taking Vitamin D over five
years; the second will be taking
fish oil; the third will-be taking both
-_ supplements; and the final group |
be GRLINE SOURCE. will be taking a placebo.

‘ Nevertheless, ‘previous studies ~.
- have already: identified a significant
‘link between the-sunshine vitamin
and uate well beg. {f-you, like many students, are
not flying south this holiday break to get a good dose of
tropical sunshine, a bottle of vitamin D supplements is an
inexpensive quick fix. Admittedly, though, not as fun as
Mexico.