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Heiltsuk First Nation BackgroundBackground on Heiltsuk First Nation
The Ingram lies in Heiltsuk Nation Territory. It is the traditional homeland of a number of families including the Vickers Family who are acting as the main stewards of the Ingram-Mooto-Ellerslie-Western Lakes area. Two years ago, the Vickers built a cabin at the mouth of the Ingram River to assert their continued use and occupation of the area.
FAN has been invited to the Ingram by Mary Vickers Jr. on behalf of the Vickers Family. Following is a statement from Mary:
"Yau Estokwa. I have invited Forest Action Network to document the proposed logging plans for Ingram so as myself and my unborn grandchildren can see it and feel our ansestor's spirits. I, Mary Vickers, take responsibility for F.A.N. being in the Ingram. I will continue fighting for my ansestors and my unborn grandchildren. Walas Giaxsixva."
- Mary Vickers Jr.
Unfortunately, the Heiltsuk Band Council and its elected councillors are opposed to FAN's presence in Heiltsuk Territory because they support WFP's plans to log the Ingram. Other band councils throughout the Central Coast of BC have taken this position in the past as well. While FAN believes in self-determination, we also acknowledge that band councils have their hands tied, as their role is limited to acting as agents of the Federal Canadian Government through the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) and the Indian Act system. This means that while their honourable intention is to make decisions that are best for Heiltsuk people, their options are limited to the allocation of government and industrial revenue and short term jobs. As an environmental group dedicated to protecting the worlds last great coastal temperate rainforest, FAN has no choice but to oppose the Heiltsuk Band Council's position on clearcut logging.
On the other hand, the Hemas Council of Hereditary Chiefs does not want the Ingram to be logged. The Hemas Council was formed in February 1998 and now represents over 20 Hereditary Chiefs of the Heiltsuk Nation. FAN is supportive of this initiative as we believe that in the long run, it is the traditional Chiefs and elders who have the wisdom to protect the land for future generations.
FAN's Policy on Indigenous Peoples
FAN has a five year history of working with sovereign First Nations to help protect their traditional territory, including:
* blockading with Lil'wat sovereigntists to help them protect a sacred site;
* working with traditionalists of the Sto:lo nation;
* supporting the stand of the Native Youth Movement and the United Native Nations in opposing the BC Treaty Process;
* working with the Vickers family of the Heiltsuk Nation; and
* working with the Hereditary Chiefs and elders of the Nuxalk Nation
We have recently reaffirmed our protocol with 10 of the Nuxalk Nation hereditary chiefs, and will continue that working relationship as long as we are invited by Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc (Lawrence Pootlass).
The following is FAN's policy on indigenous peoples:
FAN supports struggles for sovereignty and the right to self-determination of all indigenous peoples where respect for the land is an intrinsic part of their sovereignty. FAN does not support initiatives which potentially undermine the rights and sovereignty of indigenous peoples such as the BC Treaty Process (which aims to extinguish the rights of First Nations people to most of their land). FAN seeks to work with elders and hereditary chiefs whom we believe are the traditional stewards of the land.
Network,
Box 625
Bella Coola, BC
Canada V0T 1C0;
Bella Coola Phone: (250) 799-5800.
Fax: (250) 799-5830
Vancouver Phone:
(604) 739-4782
E-mail
fanbc@envirolink.org
Webmasters:
Dang Ngo
Deryk Wenaus
FAN works to replace industrial clearcutting
with community-based ecoforestry.