Last Friday, concerned citizens gathered for a Speakers’ Tour event at USM called “Tar Sands Exposed.” The presenters, both from Canada, brought their plea to us at this end of the pipeline. “See how a pristine wilderness is being devastated and poisoned. See how people, whole communities, are being pushed aside so that big money can be made, regardless of the human and environmental costs.”

Garth Lenz, as a photojournalist, documented the incredible beauty of the boreal forestlands that belong to the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation people. As always, the native people are pushed aside, treaties are broken – or they are co-opted with money. The lasting images from his camera are the aerial views of thousands of acres stripped to the bones, with hundreds of wastewater ponds leaking poison into the beautiful Athabasca River.

Eriel Deranger is a spokesperson for her tribe, living safely with her children in Edmonton. They are afraid to live in their poisoned town, near Fort McMurray, where the cancer rate has spiked. It is up by 30 percent with cancers occurring that have never been seen there before the boom. The fish, the game, the water are all heavily contaminated. Native parents have the horrible choice between unaffordable, high-priced groceries and tainted fish, game and drinking water. “What can I feed my children?”

At the end of his talk, Garth Lenz spoke of his children. He had kept his emotions in check until then. His lens has captured the beauty of this world and its creatures. He is sorely afraid of what this world will be for his children. Ms. Deranger, a mother, and Mr. Lenz, a father, wish to thank us, the citizens of South Portland, for seeing clearly what needs to be done – protect our children and their future.

Edward Reiner

South Portland