Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council members nations are taking the lead at the inquiry into the decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River.
Tsawwassen (TFN), Stz’uminus, Snaw-naw-as and Snuneymuxw are in groups that will have standing (status) as the Cohen Commission begins its work.
The commission was set up late last year with the appointment of BC Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cohen as commissioner. It will eventually make recommendations for improving the sustainability of the sockeye salmon fishery in the Fraser, including changes to the policies, practices and procedures of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
TFN applied along with Musqueam First Nation and the Maa-Nuulth Treaty Society. It will be able to cite evidence, and cross-examine during the inquiry. TFN plans to address the value-and-means in four main areas:
• Politically protecting a separate Aboriginal fishery;
• A scientifically-based inquiry;
• Restoration of the fishery and habitat; and
• Long-term management and enhancement.
Stz’uminus is part of a group called the Western Central Coast Salish Nations that also includes the Te’mexw Treaty Association (Snaw-naw-as) and Douglas Treaty nations including Snuneymuxw.
In early May, the commission announced the appointment of six prominent fisheries experts to provide independent scientific advice to the Commission’s fisheries research program.
Compensation?
Compensation for First Nations is one of the claims already sent to the inquiry.
Chief Willard Cook of Semiahmoo First Nation on Boundary Bay wrote to the Cohen Commission:
“It seems that neither the provincial nor federal governments have the political ability to conserve the resource for future generations, given their lack of action and failure to take seriously all indicators pointing to the inevitability of the current situation.
“Semiahmoo Nation calls on the governments to provide compensation to all Nations with unextinguished inherent rights for the loss of their critical food source.”