Sep 26, 2019
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world measured from its oceanic base and one of the most sacred sites for spiritual Hawaiians. A consortium of government and university scientists from Canada, the United States, Japan, China and India have been trying to build the Thirty Metre Telescope on its summit for nearly a decade, coming up against fierce opposition from native Hawaiians every step of the way.
Things heated up again this summer as TMT planned to start construction for the second time. In response, land protectors established a resistance camp on the mountain. After two and a half months and dozens of arrests, the camp is still standing and a mass movement has emerged to defend the mountain.
We caught up with Pua’ena Ahn, who is part of the Hawaiian movement and currently active to protect Mauna Kea.
With music from Anti-Flag and PUNAHELE695
In Canada, the National Research Council and the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA) are important partners in the TMT Corporation. Some prominent Canadian astronomers have already spoken out against the project. Add to the pressure!
Board Members of TMT (Canada)
- Donald Brooks – Professor, University of British Columbia
- Greg Fahlman – General Manager, NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Kim Venn – Professor, University of Victoria
ACURA Institutional Members and Representatives
- Athabasca University – Martin Connors
- Bishops University, Sherbrooke - Lorne Nelson
- Brandon University - Tyler Foster
- McGill University, Montreal - Nick Cowan
- McMaster University, Hamilton - Christine Wilson
- Queen’s University, Kingston - Stephane Courteau
- Saint Mary’s University, Halifax - Robert Thacker
- Trent University, Peterborough - David Patton
- University of Alberta, Edmonton - Gregory R. Sivakoff
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver - Aaron Boley
- University of Calgary - Robert Thompson
- Laval University - Gilles Joncas
- University of Lethbridge - Erasmus Okine
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Stefi Baum
- University of Montreal - René Doyon
- University of Toronto - Vivek Goel
- University of Victoria – Kim Venn
- University of Waterloo - Charmaine Dean
- University of Western Ontario, London - Stanimir Metchev
- York University, Toronto - Patrick Hall
And finally, don't forget to check out the Toronto Anarchist Bookfair this weekend!