An Indigenous advocate known for defending ancient forests on Vancouver Island has landed a job in federal politics.
Angela Davidson, also known as Rainbow Eyez, was named as one of two deputy leaders of the federal Green Party during an event in Ottawa on Tuesday. The other deputy leader named was Luc Joli-Coeu, a former urban planning consultant who worked in the Quebec government.
Amita Kuttner, interim leader of the Green Party, said the Green Party isn’t just a political party but a community dedicated to a “flourishing future” that includes climate justice and that the party’s leadership circle is growing as they map out their future.
“Climate justice starts with Indigenous rights and sovereignty,” Kutter said. “My heart is truly overflowing. I am so grateful to be doing this work with such amazing people.”
Davidson, who was among the more visible protesters during the Fairy Creek blockades and is facing numerous charges in connection to those protests, said Tuesday that she joined the Green Party in order to make a difference.
“I took this position because I feel the responsibility to our planet, ancestors and spirit,” she said. “The paths we are on now is accelerated because we must act now.”
The Green Party’s announcement came on National Indigenous Day, which Davidson, whose grandfather went to residential school in Alert Bay and grandmother went to day school in Campbell River, acknowledged during her speech in Ottawa. She said National Indigenous Day means honouring the first people of Canada and recognizing the genocide that is “coming to light” more and more each year.
“It means honouring my parents and everything they did for me. It means honouring my family and my grandparents. It means connecting those ties to family and community,” she said.
The Greens suffered a devastating result at the last election, returning just two MPs after a campaign riven by internal squabbling and sniping at the former leader Annamie Paul, who resigned after the election.
WATCH: Fairy Creek logging blockades return for third year of protests
Mary Griffin
