Partying, storms and just plain human carelessness have left the English Bay campground a mess of garbage, fallen trees and broken glass, according to Allen Scanie, one of the three remaining protesters at the provincial recreation area.
Scanie, who has been protesting the provincial government's planned re-development and expansion of the campground since May 7, first came out to the site to support the Déné Suliné and Cold Lake First Nations' claim to what they consider to be sacred land.
As time wore on, the protest continued, but the number of protesters decreased. A court order allows Scanie and two others to remain at the camp and he has taken it upon himself to take care of and clean up the area.
“This is a historical area and it is important to all of us, not just one group or another. So I just try to do my part in cleaning up the place and getting it back in order,” explained Scanie, during one of his many daily walks through the campground area.
Parties have left the area littered with paper, plastic, broken glass and cigarette butts. Storms this summer have caused over 50 trees to fall within the campground. Even the protesters themselves have created clutter near the entrance to the recreation area that needs to be cleaned up.
Scanie has gladly taken on the role of caretaker. “Someone has to do it. Someone has to take care of the land,” he said.
Scanie believes there are many people to blame for the mess. “It's just carelessness. People come out here and party and smash bottles and fight. Anyone can get like that when they drink. But then someone needs to clean up … It's all our responsibility.”
The protest has been ongoing for more than 100 days, leaving Scanie plenty of time to clean up the area.
He typically returns from walks through the campground with handfuls or pocketfuls of trash. Other days are spent with the chainsaw, cutting fallen trees into manageable logs to be moved or used as firewood. Scanie, along with another protester, has been recently spending hours with chisels and chainsaws to create wooden bear carvings out of the leftover logs.
“We have been having a little bit of fun out here,” he said.
Though it can be a lot of work living naturally and taking care of the land, Scanie said his time at the peace camp has been invaluable.
“I think it's an appreciation and respect for nature,” he said.
Scanie threw a handful of trash in the dumpster as he returned from his walk.
“This is a special place. It can't take care of itself.”
