August 13, 2010
Stz’uminus protest resonates around the Salish Sea
The current battle by Stz’uminus (formerly Chemainus) First Nation for control of its traditional fishing grounds is resonating with First Nations and Tribes around the Salish Sea.
A flotilla of Stz’uminus boats forced the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to close a geoduck fishery on Monday, August 9. Even before Thursdays meeting between Chief John Elliott and Paul Ryallof DFO’s Pacific Region, support was becoming widespread for Stz’uminus.
Initial support came from neighbouring Nations. Chief Rick Thomas of Lyackson heard about the protest when he got to his office on Monday morning and immediately headed for the beach at Kulleet Bay. Penelakut Nation sent over its team of first responders as both observers and emergency personnel in case the protest escalated. One the boats were members of Snuneymuxw Nation.
By the next day, as news of the stand-down by DFO, other leaders who have had similar battles with DFO were offering both their backing and boats.
SUPPORT FROM USA
Endorsement of the Stz’uminus stand came on Friday from the influential Coast Salish Gathering. The non-political group is made up of leaders from BC and Washington State. It was instrumental in cross-border support for the recent naming of the Salish Sea ecosystem.
Brian Cladoosby, co-chair of the Gathering and chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community said: "On behalf of all the original inhabitants around the Salish Sea, we raise our hands to the people of Stz'uminus in their peaceful protest to gain their rightful access to resources in their traditional waters.
"Our work to restore our waters and have control over our resources has already been recognized by governments at all levels. The alliance of governing bodies agreeing to see the relationship of the waters of the Salish Sea as one watershed provides hope that we can work together towards a healthy ecosystem for seven generations in the future.”
photos from the protest (photos Mark Kiemele)
ON OUR DOORSTEP
Chief Elliott said the reason for all that support is pretty straightforward. “All Stz’uminus is asking for is access and control of the resources on our doorstep. I think DFO made a big miscalculation when it held a fishery just a few meters off the beach on our reserve lands.
“We held a community meeting the day before the protest. Representatives of all our families were there and 100 per cent said they wanted their leaders to fight for what is rightfully ours. They said they were tired of seeing harvesting by others in the waters outside their front doors. The sea has sustained our people for millennia and it will continue to do so.
Thursday’s meeting, held in a Chemainus hotel, provided little satisfaction for Chief Elliott. “It was pretty much the same old story. DFO has been holding these fisheries in our waters for three decades and they want to continue to let commercial harvesters continue on their gravy train.
OUR FIGHT IS ON THE WATER
“But this is not the 1980s. The Stz’uminus people, and First Nations along the coast, are adamant that our rights be respected and acknowledged by DFO and other government agencies. Time and time again, the courts have ruled in our favour on these matters.
“But we don’t want to waste our time and money going to court. We continue our fight on the water, a place where we feel at home because the Salish Sea has always provided for us. This fight is on our doorstep and we will not back down.”Top DFO officials are expected to meet on Monday, August 16, to discuss their next steps in the dispute.
About Stz’uminus
Stz’uminus First Nation has a growing population of about 1,200. It has four reserves on more than 1,200 hectares. Those four communities are represented by the four canoes in the Stz’uminus logo.
IR#13 is by far the largest reserve in both area and population. It covers 1,100 hectares and includes several communities from Shell Beach near Ladysmith to Kulleet Bay along Stuart Channel where last Monday’s protest took place.
Other reserves are located at the head of Oyster Bay (Ladysmith Harbour) and south of the town ofChemainus.
Recent archeological excavations on IR#13 revealed much 5,000 year-old evidence of the Stz’uminus ancestors.
Full statement from the coast Salish gathering:
“On behalf of all the original inhabitants around the Salish Sea, we raise our hands to the people of Stz'uminus in their peaceful protest to gain their rightful access to the resources in their traditional waters.
"Our work to restore our waters and have control over our resources has already been recognized by governments at all levels. The alliance of governing bodies agreeing to see the relationship of the waters of the Salish Sea as one watershed provides hope that we can work together towards a healthy ecosystem for seven generations in the future.
"Now the next step is co-management of this wonderful ecosystem. The Coast Salish have relied upon the Salish Sea resources since time immemorial.
“We have experienced a huge decline in those resources since the white man came into our territory and implemented their laws and regulations upon our lands and waters. They have removed the Coast Salish as the caretakers of these resources.
“Stz'uminus First Nation is bringing this to the attention of the world. We must collaborate on all elements of the Salish Sea and our first step is the restoration and protection of the resources for the seven generations who will reside in this place we all call home – the Salish Sea."
Stz’uminus resolute after first talks with DFO
Stz’uminus First Nation firm in its plan for its own fishery in the waters of Kulleet Bay following intial talks with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on Thursday.
Chief John Elliott said the discussions with DFO were exploratory. But he said DFO officials from Vancouver were told that his Nation is firm in its commitment to access resources “on our doorstep”.
The talks were scheduled following Monday’s successful protest by the Stz’uminus community of an opening of a geoduck (gooeyduck) fishery.
“The meeting didn’t really resolve anything. DFO didn’t address our main concern, but Stz’uminus is resolute in our demand that we be meaningfully consulted on these matters. And we are committed to forming partnerships as we move forward in building our economic base.”
He said that it was clear that DFO had under estimated his community’s passion for access to resources in the waters beside the IR#13 reserve.
“Our people showed that they were ready to put their boats and bodies on the line when it came to protecting resources that have been used by our people for centuries,”Chief Elliott said.
“It was heartening that we received such wide support not only from First Nations throughout BC, but from non-native fishers. Our neighbouring Nations boats have been offered to regularly patrol the waters of Kulleet Bay until this issue is resolved to our satisfaction.
“DFO now knows that the onus is on them if anything happens out there. Other Nations are sending in their boats and we will be ready to shut down any other fisheries.”
Meanwhile, Ladysmith RCMP are investigating reports that geoduck harvesters are planning their own protest flotilla at Kulleet Bay.
Chief John Elliott can be contacted at 250-210-1770.
For background info, contact Ray Gauthier on his cell at 250-210-8914.
