Anti-Pipeline "Freedom Train" Rolls Into Winnipeg on Wave of Public Support

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - May 4, 2012) - Manitoba and BC First Nations enjoy strong public support as they gather in Winnipeg today to send a strong message to government and corporations alike: that their right to make their own decisions about oil pipelines and other projects must be respected.

A group of 12 First Nations are travelling across Canada on a "Freedom Train" from BC to Toronto to take their message of opposition to the controversial Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline through Northern BC directly to Enbridge's annual shareholders meeting in Toronto on May 9. Over six thousand Canadians have signed a petition in the last week supporting the Freedom Train's goal - to stop the expansion of oilsands pipelines and supertankers in Pacific coastal waters.

"For too many years Ottawa has tried to railroad First Nations and impose its will on us," said Chief Martin Louie of Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, a member of the Yinka Dene Alliance that has organized the Freedom Train. "Now we're using the railroad to fight back, travelling all the way back east to make sure the government and Enbridge hears us."

Manitobans experienced firsthand the safety record of Enbridge in 2010 when one of its pipelines near Virden leaked 1500 litres of oil directly into the Assiniboine watershed. Manitoba First Nations have given their support to the Freedom Train, and are particularly concerned about protecting water and advancing self-governance rights.

"Here in Manitoba, our First Nations people are being harmed by atrocious water quality. The BC First Nations have made a decision that they are going to refuse the tarsands pipelines threat to their clean water resources, and we stand with them," said Chickadee Richard of Anishinabe Nation.

The Freedom Train has stopped in Winnipeg for three days of events to build solidarity and support between Manitobans and BC First Nations as they fight to protect the Pacific coast and its rivers from the threat of oil spills. The Freedom Train has made stops in Edmonton, where there was a large outpouring of public support for the First Nations' bid to protect their rights, and Saskatoon, where a large rally came to the train station to celebrate the Freedom Train as it passed through.

"We knew we had great support from everyday Canadians to protect the water that we all rely on - but we never dreamt we would see such a wide range of people coming out to support us, and signing onto our cause," said Hereditary Chief Tso Dih of Nak'azdli. "We are fighting to protect the public too, not just our communities. Enbridge's pipelines and oil supertankers aren't in Canada's interest, and we'll do Canadians a favour by putting a stop to them."

"We're standing up together for our right to make decisions for ourselves and to refuse permission to projects that will harm First Nations people, like the Enbridge pipelines and tankers."

The Freedom Train arrives in Toronto on May 8.

For photos, videos, maps of event locations and a full itinerary for the tour, visit http://www.freedomtrain2012.com/schedule-events.