(Kristen Henry, 24, was taken to hospital Thursday evening. APTN/Photo)
Cara McKenna
APTN National News
A woman who went on a hunger strike against British Columbia’s controversial Site C hydroelectric dam is currently in hospital after going 19 days without eating.
Kristen Henry, 24, set up camp outside of B.C. Hydro’s Vancouver office on March 13 in support of First Nation opposition to the multi-billion dollar dam that has been approved for construction on the Peace River.
In a telephone interview Friday from the hospital, Henry said she was taken by ambulance to receive medical care at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday because her heart rate was slowing.
“Once I got here my heart rate continued to drop,” she said. “It’s still quite low, so I’m here on some support and some fluids.”
Henry said she still hasn’t consumed solid food. She said still wants to halt dam construction, which began last summer, until proper consultations occur with Treaty 8 First Nations.
“I’m obviously very frustrated that it’s gotten to this point,” she said. “I’m three weeks in and getting very sick and I haven’t gotten any acknowledgement from the B.C. Liberals, (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau or B.C. Hydro.”
Henry said she is waiting on test results and hopes to be released from hospital by Saturday.
Protesters are still set up outside the BC Hydro office and the group now includes Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who was at the encampment Friday in support of Henry.
“I’m grateful to her for reminding us that it’s not too late to stop Site C,” May said in a statement. “This destructive project is in clear violation of Treaty 8 First Nations rights. Further issuing of federal permits will continue to violate those treaty rights without serious and meaningful consultation with affected nations by the Trudeau government.”
@cara102
A lesson that almost cost this woman her life. Society is greater than any one individual
Well all she is really proving is that she thinks the world can have no opinion but hers. So parish for you cause be forgotten like the half baked dream that you live.