Protestor Dies « It’s Getting Hot In Here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, British Colombia
February 25, 2007

EAGLERIDGE PROTESTER (Harriet Nahanee) DIES Some time after 7 pm on Saturday February 24, 2007, Native Elder and Eagleridge Protester Harriet Nahanee died from pneumonia (complicated by previously undiagnosed lung cancer) in St. Paul’s Hospital. She was 71.

On January 24, 2007, despite her frail health, Harriet was sentenced to 14 days in the Surrey Pretrial Centre, a men’s prison and a notorious hell hole for women. It is believed she developed pneumonia during her incarceration and was admitted to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver a week after her release. In a letter to Justice Brenda Brown prior to the sentencing of Ms. Nahanee, Betty Krawcyzk urged compassion: “I am very worried about Mrs. Harriet Nahanee. Mrs. Nahanee is not well. She has asthma and is suffering the after effects of a recent bout of flu that has left her very weak”.(1)

On February 23, 2007, The Indigenous Action Movement held a rally and prayer vigil for Harriet (photo’s are available compliments of Isabelle Groc at: http://members.shaw.ca/idoumenc/harriet/ ). Approximately 80-100 people gathered at the Supreme Court Building for a ceremonial walk to and around St. Paul’s Hospital. A prayer vigil was held outside Harriets’ hospital room, with drumming and the Women’s Warrior Song to give Harriet support and strength. A large signed picture of the Larsen Creek Wetlands at Eagleridge Bluffs (as they were) was taken up to Harriet following the ceremony along with flowers and cards. Further information about Harriet Nahanee’s struggle at Eagleridge Bluffs can be found on at: German First Nations Website http://www.firstnations.de/development.htm

About Shadia

Shadia began at age seven as an advocate for justice and the environment, in an eight year campaign to pass state legislation that, without it, was responsible for cancer clusters and deaths that existed in her community. In response to her efforts she has received the Yoshiyama Award from the Hitachi Foundation, and the Brower Youth Award from the Earth Island Institute. At age fifteen, She attended the World Summit on Sustainable Development, joining the youth energy caucus' efforts to create the Official Global Youth Energy Policy Statement. Months later, Shadia attended the Second National People of Color Summit and there she helped create the Environmental Justice Youth Platform. She is a member of the Environmental Justice Climate Coalition Youth Committee and is on the Kids Against Pollution National Board of Trustees. Shadia graduated from West Canada Valley High School in 2005, where she then took two years off before entering a career in higher education to work as a leader in the Global Youth Climate Movement. She finished working for the EJCC as the youngest Campus Climate Challenge Coordinator in the Energy Action Coalition, in October 2007. She is currently attending American University of Beirut, studying Arabic and Communications.