I can speak about that specific area. We share the same concerns as you guys, all the way up.
I'll give you a bit of history first, in regard to the last few years here.
In 2020, when the water levels came up, we were able to access all of our traditional territories. Fast-forward four years.... No, it was last year. In 2023, I had one of my own council members try to access her traditional territory. She was stuck on Lake Mamawi for 24 hours. She had to be rescued because she was high and dry on a sandbar. This year, too, when the conditions worsened, the water was drying up. We sent a letter to BC Hydro and voiced our concern. They said it was absolutely nothing: “That's just how it is when drought conditions are happening.” There's no way the water can dry up that quickly. That's the reason why we're very concerned now. They sent us the memo about a month and a half ago. They're going to be taking the water for the next four months. It's concerning. What's going to happen next spring?
In regard to working with the other nations, we speak with them about the water levels and how we can access water now. There are even talks now of having an all-weather, year-round road because we know we cannot access anything. That's the reason why the table has been set to have these conversations.
We understand there are people getting sick to the north of us, as well. They are having the same concerns. I can say this: As one of the communities situated downstream from the oil sands, we're very concerned for everybody else beyond us. I'm 47 years old. I don't want us to be the ones who were used as collateral damage in regard to profit over people.
That's the reason, I guess, why we've dug our feet in the sand. We're sick of it now. I—