Weather not enough to cool heat over coal mine

By Lethbridge Herald on January 13, 2025.

A group of demonstrators walk down a Lethbridge street on Saturday to voice their concerns about the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Mine. Herald photo by Justin Seward

Justin Seward – LETHBRIDGE HERALD

A strong turnout braved the wintry, icy conditions to participate in a rally outside of the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society on Saturday that was in opposition of the Grassy Mountain Coal Mine.

“This concerns me because I have a four-year-old grandson and I really want to leave a healthy, biodiverse Alberta for him and beyond,” said Debra Logan.

“The residual effects of mining are very, very dangerous.”

She says the consensus is we’re not happy.

“By showing up, at least we’re doing something, we’re walking, we’re putting action to our words,” said Logan.

Peter Jowett attended all the recent rallies in Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, on the reserve and now in Lethbridge.

“We’re seeing a nice age group (of) people concerned because water is for everybody,” said Jowett.

“It’s pretty concerning what potentially is going to come down that river and the impact it will have on agriculture, that’s the life blood for this area. And if you get selenium in that’s taken up by plants then you’re in big trouble.”

Nicole Johnston, an activist from Piikani Nation and rally organizer, said they’re grateful and thankful that this is being put together.

“The other one is to continue to wake up others and bring this to their attention as to what is coming down the Oldman River and through the air in their direction, which I’m just going to call it a tidal wave,” said Johnston.

“A lot of people are very concerned and are scared of this coal mining that’s being pushed through up there in the ranch lands region.”

Johnson said this is going to keep going until we win.

“We will win,” said Johnson.

“But to also get it out there to the government that Danielle Smith needs to go with Justin Trudeau resigning.”

Johnston anticipated there were over 160 demonstrators.