Dear Ocean Defender,
I've been asked on behalf of our Musgamagw Tsawataineuk brothers and sisters
in the B.C. Broughton Archipelago to urge you to consider participating in
their non-violent "on-the-water" demonstration planned against a fish farm
for June 21st. (Details & Contact info for action coordinators Yvon & Bruce
follow. Actual name/destination of farm is confidential at time of writing).
This invitation to join with the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk in their long-time
struggle against the imposition of fish farms in their traditional home
waters is also an opportunity to bridge our differences and build new
relationships.Vessels with room for you (new vessels/paddling craft are
welcome to join) will leave Point McNeil at 7:30 a.m. followed by Alert Bay at
8 a.m.. Some 30 fishing vessels are expected.
Please join peacefully and respectfully with the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and
supporters in their citizen action to void the misguided approval of new
farms (re-sitings from elsewhere) in the Broughton Archipelago.
If you are unable to participate, please fax letters of support to 250 974
5466(fax) and 250 973 6581(fax).
For Wild Oceans,
Howard Breen
P.S. Please pass along the Media Advisories if you have a special
relationship with some media people.
MEDIA ADVISORY -- June 19, 2000
On Wednesday morning, June 21, a flotilla of boats led by 5 war canoes will
leave Alert Bay on a mission to defend their territory. Supported by
fishermen from Sointula and local people from Echo Bay the flotilla will
serve an "Eviction Notice" on a fish farm in the Broughton Archipelago.
The fish farm controversy has swirled around this area for over 15 years.
The Musgamawg Tsawataineuk Tribal Council whose territory has been invaded
by the fish farm industry has never been consulted (as mandated by the
Supreme Court Delga Muq' decision) and their oft-stated opposition to the
foreign corporations has been ignored.
Environmental concerns continue to surface as Atlantic Salmon imported by
the farmers escape and breed in local streams. Diseased escapees have been
found in a local Coho hatchery.
Local fishermen have evicted from their traditional areas by these huge
multi-national corporations, and their advice on environmental safety
ignored.
Regulations recommended by an Environmental Assessment Process are being
ignored because they are inconvenient for the fish farm industry.
The final straw, according to local resident Brian Wadhams, was when four
additional farm sites were proposed for the Broughton which already has the
highest concentration of farms in the world. "They should be moving these
things out", said Wadhams, "not putting more in."
This peaceful demonstration will be demanding respect for Aboriginal Rights
and Title, respect for the rights of local residents, and respect for the
environment. These goals can only be met by the removal of all offending
farms from the Broughton Archipelago. Minister of Agriculture Food and Fish,
Corky Evans, must come to the Broughton to discuss a timetable for the
removal of these farms.
Contact People-Yvon Gesinghaus-Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
250 974 5516(work);
250 974 5466(fax);
250 974 8183(cell);
email-yvon at island.net
Bruce Burrows-United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union (Local 26)
250 973 6580(work);
250 973 6582(home);
250 974 8299(cell);
250 973 6581(fax);
email-bburrows at island.net
MEDIA ADVISORY -- June 19, 2000
The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council membership has vehemently objected
to fishfarms in our territories for more than fifteen years. The
environmental damages from these fishfarms far exceed any perceived
advantage that fishfarms claim to offer. The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk People
will not give up our way of life, as we have enjoyed it; for a few paltry
dollars that will soon evaporate as industry converts to more and more
machinery.
Our entire way of life is now threatened by the imposition of these
fishfarms within our "Garden of Sea Life" called the Broughton Archipelago.
There are currently 26 fishfarms concentrated in this once pristine area and
the weight of the environmental damage they will and have done will destroy
this beautiful territory. According to the Provincial Government's own
rules called the "Salmon Aquaculture Review" almost all the current
fishfarms in the Broughton Archipelago are in sensitive areas and by their
own rules; they should not be there. Yet, due to the strong health of our
territories, the fishfarm industrial giants have also targeted our area for
their own greed and profit.
It is time to stand up and defend our territories. The Musgamagw
Tsawataineuk People will celebrate National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2000 by
defending their territories that include the Broughton Archipelago.
For further information:
Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council - 250-974-5516
Chief Bill Cranmer, MTTC Chairman & 'Namgis First Nation Chief - Alert Bay
Chief Willie Moon, MTTC Vice-Chair & Tsawataineuk First Nation Chief -
Kingcome Inlet
Chief Sandy Johnson, MTTC Director & Kwicksutaineuk Ahkwa'mis First Nation
Chief - Gilford Island;
Chief Charlie Williams, MTTC Director & Gwawaenuk First Nation Chief -
Watson Island
Chief Robert Joseph, MTTC & Hereditary Chief of Gwawaenuk - Hopetown
BC Aboriginal Fisheries Commission Arnie Narcisse - 604-818-2322
BC Aboriginal Fisheries Commission Simon Lucas -
Union of BC Indian Chief Stewart Phillip 250-490-5314
Native Brotherhood of BC Edwin Newman
For daily contact numbers for the above
please call Yvon Gesinghaus,
MTTC General Manager at
250-974-5516; cell: 250-974-8183;
fax: 250-974-5466
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To get off ACN-L send a note to majordomo at acn.ca with unsubscribe acn-l
ACN-L archives are at http://www.peter.unmack.net/archive/acn
The Aquatic Conservation Network is dedicated to the exchange of
information regarding aquatic conservation issues. http://www.acn.ca
ACN-L is hosted by Gordon Dewis (gordon at pinetree.org) at www.pinetree.org