Peel watershed supporters brave pouring rain for water ceremony

August 21, 2015, Whitehorse, Yukon - In pouring rain 200 supporters arrived at the steps to the Yukon Law Court, yesterday, where the Peel Watershed Case is underway, to participate in a one hour long Water Celebration for the Peel.

Elders from the First nation respondents in the case - the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and Vuntut Gwich’in First Nation - along with fellow respondents, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Yukon Chapter and the Yukon Conservation Society, and public participated in a special ceremony involving the gathering of water collected by supporters from Yukon lakes, rivers and streams that have special meaning to the bearer.  During the ceremony these waters were be joined together in support of protection of the Peel Watershed and Justice Veale’s 2014 judgment concerning the region’s land use plan.

Over 350 vials were distributed to members of the public throughout the summer who brought waters from throughout the territory, including the major drainages of the Peel Watershed, to be mingled together during the ceremony.

During the evening BBQ over 300 people came together to witness the closing of the Water Ceremony for the Peel, where the waters were poured into the Yukon River.

Images from the day’s events in support of protecting the Peel, #ProtectPeel can be found here:
•        Water Celebration for the Peel https://db.tt/VF8Wmfss
•        BBQ evening event and closing of the Water Celebration https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5u9w2acgrrh6zji/AACjMXpCDv26YdGqN0iFrSroa?dl=0

A full recap of the day’s activities can be found here:
https://peelwatershedtrial.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/daily-summary-of-august-20th-peel-appeal/

Court proceedings resume today at 9 am PST and are expected to wrap up at 2pm.  Respondent lawyers anticipate it will take 3-4 months before a decision is made