Rally to voice opposition to coal mine proposal

By Lethbridge Herald on January 10, 2025.

Demonstrators gather in Fort Macleod earlier this week to protest the potential opening of the Grassy Mountain coal mine. Another rally is scheduled for Lethbridge on Saturday at Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre. Submitted photo by Deb Gregorash

Alexandra Noad – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A rally in opposition to the Grassy Mountain Coal Mine is planned for Saturday morning at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society.

Nicole Johnston, an activist from the Piikani Nation, is the organizer of the rally and was impressed with the turnout of the previous rallies in Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod.

“In Pincher Creek, when we ended, we had nearly 200 people come out for the rally,” she says. “And again, over 100 people came out for Fort Macleod, so I’m expecting, hopefully, more will come out in Lethbridge as I know they’re very aware of what’s happening.”

Johnston adds she has been overwhelmed with the support she has received and believes working together is how opponents of the mine are going to win their fight.

“We all need to stick together and fight this off, because this is going to destroy our land.”

Johnston says many members of the tribe are not in favour of the proposed mining, and she accuses Northback of not telling the truth about the economic boost the company claims it will give members on the reserve.

“All the lies Northback is putting out, especially to the Peigan Nation, they’re telling (us) that we’re going to be millionaires and we’re going to be prospering so much.”

Johnston says she believes Northback is making promises to get members of the nation to trust in the company, but people don’t realize the ultimate goal is to take over Grassy Mountain.

Johnston compared the situation to the battle of Little Bighorn, a significant battle between three combined tribes and the U.S. cavalry in 1876.

“One thing I put out there was did Custer feed and eat and pray with the people before he opened fired on them?” she asks. “That’s exactly what’s happening here. They’re coming to eat today and pray with our people, walk away and bring destruction on the nation.”

Johnston also says she believes Chief Troy Knowlton isn’t listening to his nation and could cause irreparable harm if he continues down that path.

She hopes through her advocacy work that more people will wake up to the potential harm the Grassy Mountain Coal Mine can cause.

“When we first started, (our goal) was to wake up as many people as (we) possibly could to get the information out to as many ears that were willing to listen and understand.”

The rally is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Johnston also plans to host a rally at the Alberta Energy Regulator hearings in Calgary next week.