This personal account confronts colonization and highlights the philosophy and values of a First Nation facing threats from the Trans Mountain pipeline. It narrates the spiritual, cultural, and political resurgence of a nation reclaiming their lands, waters, laws, and food systems. The Tsleil-Waututh's intergenerational struggle against colonization is showcased through their powerful opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline, a fossil fuel project that would significantly increase tar sands bitumen transport through their unceded territory and oil tanker traffic in their waters. The narrative is presented by Rueben George, a prominent leader in the resistance against this expansion, who has dedicated over a decade to this cause. He shares stories of his family's deep ancestral ties to the waters that have sustained the Tsleil-Waututh for generations. Despite the colonial state's attempts at cultural genocide, Rueben reflects on the teachings of key community leaders, like his grandfather, Chief Dan George, who instilled pride and a sense of connection to the inlet in younger generations. This work serves as both memoir and call to action, urging policymakers to prioritize sacred territory over oil profits and advocating for a shift in colonial Canada's perspective towards respecting the land and its inhabitants.
