It is with utter dismay that I listened to our provincial leaders announce a “much anticipated” vaccine passport into our society. It is quite simply absurd and although history will surely judge them for this, it will also judge us by how we respond. Whistler was founded on principles of freedom; settlers came to the Pemberton Valley as free-thinking and adventurous people; immigrants continue to flock here to enjoy free opportunities; the Lil’wat have lived here within the corridor for thousands of years, always with their freedom and rights intact. Lil’wat people understand what it is to lose these freedoms as their way of life was stolen from them along with their children through ill-advised government policy. Is it really that hard to imagine our government and its organizations working against us? History has shown this time and time again— and not just with the Indian Act (let us not forget about government health authorities encouraging smoking, and the continued subsidizing of the oil and gas industry).
Dr. Zelenko, a board-certified Jewish- American doctor from New York, has demonstrated and documented in peer- reviewed studies that there are proven treatments for COVID-19 which are incredibly effective and safe (over 85-per-cent reduction in hospitalization and death). Alternatively, Dr. Malone, who contributed to the invention of mRNA technology, has publicly come out questioning vaccinations as he feels that it can create enhanced immune response, which creates a worse reaction when exposed to the natural coronavirus (he has been rewarded by being publicly shamed).
Fellow citizens, do not allow our government to scapegoat the unvaccinated in this ordeal. By instituting this “vaccine card” we will all lose. Last year, mention of a vaccine passport was dismissed as a conspiracy theory; Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a news conference months ago that B.C. would not implement a system domestically as it would further expose inequalities in our society. So, is it that much of a stretch for us to imagine that these “vaccine cards” will ultimately be used to restrict and fundamentally remove our freedoms? Whether you were vaccinated or not, we must all stand strong together by denouncing this “vaccine card.” It can only be implemented if we, the people, allow it.
Celhcelh is the Lil’wat principle of learning that describes how each person is responsible for their own learning and the learning of others; they are open to and always seeking to learn more. Someone who is practising celhcelh does not blindly follow orders; they openly consider truths and experiences and engage their peers to move forward together. I am begging everyone to be celhcelh, stand up for our fundamental freedom of rights. If this vaccine passport is instituted, we will have lost our freedom.
Paul Lammens // Mount Currie
