Islands Spirit Rising Begins on Haida Gwaii

Despite a Canadian Supreme Court ruling late last year that the Province has a duty to consult and accommodate First Nations on land use decisions, the liquidation of the cultural heritage of the Haida Nation in the form of Old Growth Cedar continues. Today, the Haida are putting their foot down. According to a communique today:

Logging and barges have been stopped today. Individuals are standing together in Queen Charlotte and on the road by East Yakoun, near Juskatla. The action is taking place as Weyerhaeuser is poised to sell off the Tree Farm License to Brascan. The slogans on the road say it all - Enough is Enough.

The blockade is just the latest in a string of actions by First Nations across B.C. (including blockades by the Tsawataineuk and legal complaints by the Hupacasath and the Okanagan Nations) the to stop incursions into their lands by industrial developers and affirm rights to their traditional territory--all of which leave the complicate the sale of Weyerhaeuser's coastal tenure to Brascan.

The Haida have consistently the vanguard, articulating a bold vision of the growing movement among First Nations across Canada to preserve rights and title to unceded territory. According to the Haida Communique:

The action on the road at both ends of the Island is taking place to address these serious issues that affect us all. If we don?t move forward together the opportunities for change and a stable economy will no longer exist for us. These are first steps towards tackling issues, the forest companies, and the province of BC. The Islands community is serious about change ? the future is now!

Luckily you can help. Volunteers are needed to be part of this all-Islands action. Please contact Melinda Pick 559-8834 or cblake@haidagwaii.net to find out what you can do. Information is also available at www.haidanation.ca/islands/islands.html
Keep checking the web site for updates.