Everyone that calls the…

Everyone that calls the Sault and surrounding area home knows that the Goulais River is the lungs that run through our vast wilderness north of the city- giving it life, vitality and a unique energy of aliveness. To use the Goulais River in the proposed capacity would be to suffocate the channel that breeds life into our local wilderness. This area is special to so many. Please keep it safe, keep it clean, keep it wild. Protect this geologically ancient waterway.

Further, I fear this motion moving forward has the potential to turn community against our local ski hill. Our outdoor community in this area is too small for this not to have internal relational impacts. In recent years, the relationship between Searchmont and locals has been stressed, and this would only do more damage.

Lastly, as a Canadian society, we talk about reconciliation with Indigenous people and ponder if/how we can ever accomplish it. It is with decisions as such that we have the opportunity to work towards it. This is an opportunity to defend and protect the Land, and demonstrate a respectful and reciprocal relation with our waterways. It is opportunity to stand for those who have lived alongside this water for 10,000+ years and continue to recognize it’s value and worth- without abusing it. We cannot continue to ignore and disrespect the Land and wonder how we will ever make right for our historical wrong doings when there are present opportunities for improvement right in-front of us.