Hero's welcome for Indian caravan

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VANCOUVER - The Save South Moresby Caravan (Supercontinental #3) arrived at 1:30 p.m. January 15, to a hero's welcome, with approximately 1,500 people clapping and cheering the caravan group at the CN station.

The caravan group left St. John, Newfoundland on March 4, and picked up supporters at station stops. The caravan group split in two at Winnipeg with one group continuing via Calgary and the other via Edmonton. The group (via Calgary) arrived 9:30 a.m. January 15, and were on hand to greet the rest of the group arriving via Edmonton.

On the train's arrival, the caravan group plus the four Elders from the Haida Reserve, carried placards and red and white balloons and sang traditional Haida songs accompanied by Haida drummers and singers, while leaving the train.

Along the way, the train caravan received support from federal Environment Minister Tom McMillian and former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

"People were really favorable to our cause," said organizer Gregg Sheehy.

"It's just wonderful how people across Canada are with us," one of the four Haida Elders who joined the caravan in Toronto, Ethel Jones, said. "We know our fight is just beginning. We're not stopping now."

Jones was one of the Haida Indians arrested in November for blocking logging on Lyell Island. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 16 at Prince Rupert to face charges, and faces a possible jail sentence.

Approximately 2,000 people took part in the rally and the parade from the CN Park to Canada Place, led by Tom Henley, a 36-year-old consultant on youth crisis in Victoria who has spent 12 years in the Queen Charlottes.

At the Canada Place rally, Haida leader Miles Richardson said it was a day of celebration, "celebrating South Moresby as an important part of the earth."

Richardson gave a review of the happenings in South Moresby and the Haida position.

Jim Fulton, MP for Lyell Island, who introduced the guest speaker, noted that a bald headed eagle was circling the gathering, and said "it's symbolic" to such a gathering. The support received by the Save South Moresby Caravan was overwhelming.

At station stops, there was moral support as well as donations from well wishers.