Building Bridges Together

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Building Bridges Together building bridges together a resource guide for intercultural work between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples may 2008 this resource guide consists of discussions and stories about key concepts and historical developments that inform current-day intercultural work between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples in bc. by reading this resource guide, you will: gain an awareness of the diverse perspectives inherent to intercultural work between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples in bc acquire information about online and text resources that relate to intercultural work between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples in bc building bridges together a resource guide for intercultural work between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples lead author & editor scott graham contributors crystal reeves, paulette regan, brenda ireland, eric ostrowidzki, greg george, verna miller, ellie parks and laureen whyte design & layout joanne cheung & matthew beall cover artwork kinwa bluesky prepared by the social planning and research council of british columbia special thanks to the vancouver foundation for their generous support for this project © MAY 2008 library & archives canada cataloguing in publication graham, scott, 1977 – building bridges together: a resource guide for intercultural work between aboriginal and non aboriginal peoples includes bibliogrpahical references. also available in electronic format. ISBN 978-0-9809157-3-0 SOCIAL PLANNING AND RESEARCH COUNCIL OF BC 201-221 EAST 10TH AVE. VANCOUVER, BC V5T 4V3 WWW.SPARC.BC.CA [email protected] TEL: 604-718-7733 building bridges together a resource guide for intercultural work between aboriginal and non-aborignial peoples acknowledgements: the content of the building bridges together series would not be possible without the insightful contributions of the members of the building bridges together advisory committee. members of the committee would like to extend their gratitude to the many community members who provided their on-going support, valuable insights and suggestions on various sections of the resource guide and workbook, including layout, assessment sheets, case studies, discussion points and guiding questions. sparc bc would like to specifically thank the following advisory committee members for giving their time and expertise: brad tait, lisims backcountry adventures inc. (a part of nisga’a commercial group) danny peters, native education college darlene shackelly, native courtworker and counselling association of bc donald isbister, healing our spirit ellie langford parks, centre for non-profit management eric ostrowidzki, nicola valley institute of technology greg george, quick thinking management solutions laureen white, arbutus consulting patrick kelly, patrick kelly consulting paulette regan, truth and reconciliation commission, government of canada verna miller, nlaka’pamux health and healing society verna billy-minnabariet, nicola valley institute of technology brenda ireland, first light initiatives Table of Contents Introduction 1 Outline and learning objectives 2 Intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples: Defi nitions, dynamics and principles 3 Defi ning intercultural work 3 Dynamics of intercultural work 4 Categorization 4 Prejudice and stereotypes 5 Discrimination 6 Racism 6 White privilege 7 Principles for intercultural work 11 Mutual recognition 12 Mutual respect 13 Sharing 14 Mutual Responsibility 14 Examples of Intercultural Work 16 Brenda Ireland and Paulette Regan talk about “Unsettling Dialogues of History & Hope” 16 Ellie Parks talks about organizing a national conference 19 Ellie Parks discusses the work of Saltspring Islanders for Justice and Reconciliation (SSIJAR) 20 Laureen Whyte talks about “Making the Grade” 22 Verna Miller refl ects on Indigenous Knowledge and Respect 29 Greg George talks about ‘All Nations Gathering’ 31 SEE/BLIND: A collaborative story by the “Building Bridges Together” Advisory Committee 32 Discussions and resources on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations 34 Terminology of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples 34 Ways of understanding history 35 General phases of colonization and decolonization 37 Settler and Indigenous social policy in Canada 40 E-learning about peoples’ experiences with colonization 42 Historical and legal facts regarding Aboriginal people 43 Territories, names and languages of First Nations in British Columbia 44 British Columbia treaty process 44 Partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples 45 Appendices 46 Appendix One: Supplementary resources 46 Online resources 46 Books 48 Articles 50 Appendix Two: Comment sheet 52 Endnotes 53 Introduction From June 2006 to April 2008, the Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia (SPARC BC) and the members of the Building Bridges Together Advisory Committee built two resources that aim to encourage intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in BC: (1) Building Bridges Together Resource Guide; (2) Building Bridges Together Workbook. Building Bridges Together Resource Guide is a compilation of a wide range of resources that can inform local initiatives to engage in dialogue and action-planning between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. The resource guide was designed to help you and your community access relevant information as you engage in community processes to explore history, refl ect on the present, and take action leading to a better future for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. Building Bridges Together Workbook compliments the resource guide by outlining a three part process to creating an intercultural dialogue series with and for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. The workbook is the ‘how-to’ component of the Building Bridges Together series and contains assessment sheets and planning worksheets to help you work with people in your community to develop a locally relevant dialogue series. a resource guide for intercultural work between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples 1 Outline and learning objectives There are three chapters in Building Bridges Together Resource Guide. In chapter one, we provide an overview of the defi nition, dynamics and guiding principles for intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in BC. In chapter two, we present the personal refl ections, hopeful imaginings and critical questions about intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples that were developed by members of the Building Bridges Together Advisory Committee. Chapter three features a wide range of short discussions and resources related to topic areas that are central to intercultural work between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal peoples in BC. The appendices consist of supplementary readings and resources and a comment sheet. Although this resource guide does touch on a wide range of topics, it is by no means a comprehensive treatment of the subject of the relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in BC and Canada. Nevertheless, it does aim to provide a thumb nail sketch of some of the ideas and developments that relate to intercultural work between the two groups. As such, all content in this resource guide has been developed with a view to facilitating the achievement of three learning objectives for the reader: • To understand some of the key concepts, as well as the historical and contemporary developments that typically inform discussions about intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in BC; • To gain an awareness of the diverse perspectives and lived experiences inherent to intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in BC; • To acquire information about online and text resources that relate to intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in BC. 2 building bridges together Intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples: Defi nitions, dynamics and principles In this chapter, we provide a working defi nition of intercultural work and discuss some of the dynamics of intercultural work between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. This chapter also includes a summary discussion of the guiding principles for renewing relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples as developed in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP). Defi ning intercultural work Before we can talk about intercultural work, it is necessary to fi rst defi ne what is meant by the term culture. Although there are ongoing debates about what does and doesn’t count as culture, the United Nations’ Educational, Scientifi c and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) provides a useful description that we feel captures the essence of what culture is: “... culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group. It encompasses... art and literature, lifestyles, language, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs.”1 Given this wide defi nition of culture, we consider intercultural work in similarly broad terms, which is to say that intercultural work involves the activities and thoughts that are created and changed in and through human interaction across and in between different cultures.2 Intercultural work between Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal peoples is centered on the recognition that working in between cultures does not take place in a power vacuum or in equal-power relations. It is situated in the context of power imbalances and inequalities, most of which have their historical roots
Recommended publications
  • Unification of Naasquuisaqs and Tlâ•Žaakwakumlth
    International Textile and Apparel Association 2018: Re-Imagine the Re-Newable (ITAA) Annual Conference Proceedings Jan 1st, 12:00 AM Unification of Naasquuisaqs and Tl’aakwakumlth Denise Nicole Green Cornell University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/itaa_proceedings Part of the Fashion Design Commons, Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts Commons, and the Indigenous Studies Commons Green, Denise Nicole, "Unification of Naasquuisaqs and Tl’aakwakumlth" (2018). International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference Proceedings. 67. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/itaa_proceedings/2018/design/67 This Design is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences and Symposia at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference Proceedings by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ! ! Cleveland, Ohio 2018! Proceedings ! ! Title: Unification of Naasquuisaqs and Tl’aakwakumlth Designers: Denise Nicole Green, Cornell University & Haa’yuups (Ron Hamilton), Hupacasath First Nation Keywords: Native American, Hupacasath, Nuu-chah-nulth, Indigenous Fashion Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations hail from the West coast of Vancouver Island and are a confederacy of 14 smaller sovereign nations. According to their traditional beliefs, they have occupied these territories since iikmuut (the time before time) and archaeological evidence from this region confirms occupation for at least 5000 years (McMillan 2000). Like other Northwest Coast indigenous peoples, Nuu-chah-nulth social organization is complex and reflected in design practice and iconography (Holm 2014; Jonaitis 2006). Families own crests, which are iconographic imagery that represent histories, rights, and privileges (Green 2014).
    [Show full text]
  • Best Practices for Consultation and Accommodation
    Best Practices for Consultation and Accommodation Prepared for: New Relationship Trust Prepared by: Meyers Norris Penny LLP September 2009 Table of Contents Best Practices for Consultation and Accommodation................................................................................... i Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................iii Summary of Best Practices for First Nations in Consultation and Accommodation .......................... iv 1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................1 1. 1 Project Vision and Purpose .........................................................................................................1 1.2 How to Use this Guide.................................................................................................................1 1.3 What are Best Practices? ............................................................................................................3 1.4 What is the Duty to Consult...........................................................................................................4 Aboriginal Rights & Title..............................................................................................................4 Duty to Consult and Accommodate ............................................................................................4 Who?...........................................................................................................................................5
    [Show full text]
  • Reconciling Aboriginal Rights with International Trade Agreements: Hupacasath First Nation V
    Reconciling Aboriginal Rights with International Trade Agreements: Hupacasath First Nation v. Canada Kathryn Tucker* 1. BACKGROUND 111 1.1 duty to Consult and Accomodate 111 1.2 Bilateral Investment Agreement 113 1.3 Hupacasath First Nation 115 2. FACTS OF CASE AND DECISION 116 2.1 Grounds of the application 116 2.2 Application of Three-Part Test 116 2.2.1 SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN LEGAL FRAMEWORK 117 2.2.2 SCOPE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT 120 3. COMMENTARY 121 3.1 Speculative and No Causal Link 121 3.1.1 HIGH-LEVEL MANAGEMENT DECISION 121 3.1.2 MST, MFN, AND EXPROPRIATION PROVISIONS 123 3.1.3 CHILLING EFFECT 123 3.2 Modern First Nations’ Agreements 124 3.3 Environmental Assessment of CCFIPPA 125 3.4 Aboriginal Self-Governance 127 3.5 Circumstances of Applicant 127 4. CONCLUSION 128 * Associate at Hutchins Legal Inc., practicing in the fields of Aboriginal and environmental law. The author is a member of the Barreau du Quebec and the Law Society of Upper Canada. She has an LL.M. in environ- mental law from Vermont Law School, and an LL.B. and B.C.L. from McGill University. Special thanks to Peter Hutchins for continuing to share his knowledge of and enthusiasm for Aboriginal law. 110 JSDLP - RDPDD Tucker ith the introduction of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982,1 Canada recognized and affirmed existing Aboriginal and treaty rights. From this recognition emerged, in 1990, the duty to consult as part of the justification framework allowing for the infringementsW of Aboriginal rights.2 The Supreme Court of Canada then went on to establish, in 2004, the duty to consult and, if appropriate, accommodate Aboriginal groups when the Crown undertakes an action or decision that could adversely affect their rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Coastal Strategy for the West Coast of Vancouver Island
    COASTAL STRATEGY FOR THE WEST COAST VANCOUVER ISLAND West Coast Aquatic 2012 Overview Values & Principles Vision, Goals, Objectives Priorities & Action Plans Dear Reader, As members of the West Coast Vancou- This Coastal Strategy also respects vision and approach. ver Island Aquatic Management Board, jurisdictional authority, aboriginal title we are pleased to present this Coastal and rights, and existing regulatory We look forward to pursuing this Strat- Strategy for the West Coast of Vancou- processes and plans. It does not fetter egy’s vision of a place where people are ver Island (WCVI) region. the decision-making ability of relevant working together for the benefit of cur- Ministers, Elected Officials, or Chiefs, rent and future generations of aquatic The WCVI region is one of the richest or supersede management plans, resources, people and communities, and most diverse aquatic ecosystems in Treaties, or other agreements. Rather, reflecting the principles of Hishukish the world. This Strategy was developed it provides the best available guid- tsawalk (Everything is One) and Iisaak to address opportunities and risks ance, knowledge, and tools to support (Respect). related to the health and wealth of its decision-makers. environment, communities and busi- Thank you / Klecko Klecko! nesses. As a board, we recognize the interde- pendent nature of the environment, The Strategy assists current and future society, and the economy. Each is governments, communities, sectors, dependent on the other for long-term and other partners interested
    [Show full text]
  • Language List 2019
    First Nations Languages in British Columbia – Revised June 2019 Family1 Language Name2 Other Names3 Dialects4 #5 Communities Where Spoken6 Anishnaabemowin Saulteau 7 1 Saulteau First Nations ALGONQUIAN 1. Anishinaabemowin Ojibway ~ Ojibwe Saulteau Plains Ojibway Blueberry River First Nations Fort Nelson First Nation 2. Nēhiyawēwin ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐍᐏᐣ Saulteau First Nations ALGONQUIAN Cree Nēhiyawēwin (Plains Cree) 1 West Moberly First Nations Plains Cree Many urban areas, especially Vancouver Cheslatta Carrier Nation Nak’albun-Dzinghubun/ Lheidli-T’enneh First Nation Stuart-Trembleur Lake Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation Lhtako Dene Nation (Tl’azt’en, Yekooche, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation Nak’azdli) Nak’azdli Whut’en ATHABASKAN- ᑕᗸᒡ NaZko First Nation Saik’uz First Nation Carrier 12 EYAK-TLINGIT or 3. Dakelh Fraser-Nechakoh Stellat’en First Nation 8 Taculli ~ Takulie NA-DENE (Cheslatta, Sdelakoh, Nadleh, Takla Lake First Nation Saik’uZ, Lheidli) Tl’azt’en Nation Ts’il KaZ Koh First Nation Ulkatcho First Nation Blackwater (Lhk’acho, Yekooche First Nation Lhoosk’uz, Ndazko, Lhtakoh) Urban areas, especially Prince George and Quesnel 1 Please see the appendix for definitions of family, language and dialect. 2 The “Language Names” are those used on First Peoples' Language Map of British Columbia (http://fp-maps.ca) and were compiled in consultation with First Nations communities. 3 The “Other Names” are names by which the language is known, today or in the past. Some of these names may no longer be in use and may not be considered acceptable by communities but it is useful to include them in order to assist with the location of language resources which may have used these alternate names.
    [Show full text]
  • A GUIDE to Aboriginal Organizations and Services in British Columbia (December 2013)
    A GUIDE TO Aboriginal Organizations and Services in British Columbia (December 2013) A GUIDE TO Aboriginal Organizations and Services in British Columbia (December 2013) INTRODUCTORY NOTE A Guide to Aboriginal Organizations and Services in British Columbia is a provincial listing of First Nation, Métis and Aboriginal organizations, communities and community services. The Guide is dependent upon voluntary inclusion and is not a comprehensive listing of all Aboriginal organizations in B.C., nor is it able to offer links to all the services that an organization may offer or that may be of interest to Aboriginal people. Publication of the Guide is coordinated by the Intergovernmental and Community Relations Branch of the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (MARR), to support streamlined access to information about Aboriginal programs and services and to support relationship-building with Aboriginal people and their communities. Information in the Guide is based upon data available at the time of publication. The Guide data is also in an Excel format and can be found by searching the DataBC catalogue at: http://www.data.gov.bc.ca. NOTE: While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy and validity of the information, we have been experiencing some technical challenges while updating the current database. Please contact us if you notice an error in your organization’s listing. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we work towards resolving these challenges. If there have been any changes to your organization’s contact information please send the details to: Intergovernmental and Community Relations Branch Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation PO Box 9100 Stn Prov.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Download
    Ames, Kenneth M. and Herbert D.G. Maschner 1999 Peoples of BIBLIOGRAPHY the Northwest Coast: Their Archaeology and Prehistory. Thames and Hudson, London. Abbas, Rizwaan 2014 Monitoring of Bell-hole Tests at Amoss, Pamela T. 1993 Hair of the Dog: Unravelling Pre-contact Archaeological Site DhRs-1 (Marpole Midden), Vancouver, BC. Coast Salish Social Stratification. In American Indian Linguistics Report on file, British Columbia Archaeology Branch, Victoria. and Ethnography in Honor of Lawrence C. Thompson, edited by Acheson, Steven 2009 Marpole Archaeological Site (DhRs-1) Anthony Mattina and Timothy Montler, pp. 3-35. University of Management Plan—A Proposal. Report on file, British Columbia Montana Occasional Papers No. 10, Missoula. Archaeology Branch, Victoria. Andrefsky, William, Jr. 2005 Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Acheson, S. and S. Riley 1976 Gulf of Georgia Archaeological Analysis (2nd edition). Cambridge University Press, New York. Survey: Powell River and Sechelt Regional Districts. Report on Angelbeck, Bill 2015 Survey and Excavation of Kwoiek Creek, file, British Columbia Archaeology Branch, Victoria. British Columbia. Report in preparation by Arrowstone Acheson, S. and S. Riley 1977 An Archaeological Resource Archaeology for Kanaka Bar Indian Band, and Innergex Inventory of the Northeast Gulf of Georgia Region. Report on file, Renewable Energy, Longueuil, Québec. British Columbia Archaeology Branch, Victoria. Angelbeck, Bill and Colin Grier 2012 Anarchism and the Adachi, Ken 1976 The Enemy That Never Was. McClelland & Archaeology of Anarchic Societies: Resistance to Centralization in Stewart, Toronto, Ontario. the Coast Salish Region of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Current Anthropology 53(5):547-587. Adams, Amanda 2003 Visions Cast on Stone: A Stylistic Analysis of the Petroglyphs of Gabriola Island, B.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Governance Best Practices Report
    National Centre for First Nations Governance Governance Best Practices Report Submitted to the New Relationship Trust June 2009 Table of Contents Acknowledgments ....................................................... ii Respect for the Spirit of the Land: Haisla First Nation ............................................ 17 National Centre for First Nations Governance ......... iii Respect for the Spirit of the Land: Background to our Approach Champagne & Aishihik First Nations …............ 19 to Effective Governance ……................................... iii Laws & Jurisdiction: Executive Summary ……………............…..................... iv Expansion of Jurisdiction: Governance Principles – Best Practices Table ….......… v Tsawwassen First Nation ………………............... 21 Introduction Expansion of Jurisdiction: Project Vision and Purpose……………………............ vi White Bear First Nation ………………….............. 23 What are Best Practices? ………………….................. vi Rule of Law: Nisga’a Lisims Government …………………........ 25 How to Use "is Guide ………………………............... vi Institutions: Governance Principles Transparency and Fairness: Governance …………………………………….............… vii Westbank First Nation …………………………....... 27 Principles of Effective Governance ……................. vii Results Based Organizations: Principles in Action …………................................... vii First Nations & Inuit Home Heirarchy of Principles …………………………......…. vii & Community Care .......................................... 29 Best Practice Reports Cultural Alignment of
    [Show full text]
  • Taking Care Of
    Volume 3 Issue 2 2007 Uu-a-thluk Kyuquot Taking Care Of Nootka Makah Success an Example for Nuu-chah-nulth When Uu-a-thluk (NTC) Fisheries support, maintain and increase Program Manager Don Hall first saw their participation in the seafood Clayoquot the large number of boats in Neah Bay economy.” this past June, he thought the Makah In addition to strengthening the Nation leased out marina space to non- cultural and family ties that the Makah Barclay native recreational and commercial share with Nuu-chah-nulth, Hall and fishermen. Then he learned otherwise. Frank made the trip to Neah Bay to see The boats were actually the Makah how Nuu-chah-nulth relatives to the Ditidaht fishing fleet. Hall was impressed. south structured their economy post- “Here’s a pretty isolated coastal litigation victory. Given the pending Nation that has developed their trial in the Nuu-chah-nulth fisheries fisheries access that they won initially litigation, there are many parallels. Pacheedaht through the court into an important “Makah are a model for Nuu- part of their economy,” said Hall. “The chah-nulth to look at now and into the potential is there for Nuu-chah-nulth future,” said Hall. Given that the Makah Inside This Issue to do the same kind of thing here on currently harvest an area much smaller Page 2 the west coast of Vancouver Island.” than the Nuu-chah-nulth’s traditional Groundfish Integration Update Looking at the Makah success fishing grounds, the potential is there was part of the reason Hall and for Nuu-chah-nulth harvesters.
    [Show full text]
  • Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
    MINISTRY OF ABORIGINAL RELATIONS AND RECONCILIATION Event and Meeting Schedules . May – September 2013 DATE EVENT/MEETING LOCATION AUDIENCE MORE INFO, IF ANY MAY 2013 May 28 – 29 Truth & Reconciliation Kamloops: Moccasin Media http://fnbc.info/sites/default/files/TteS%20Truth% Commission Community Square Gardens First Nations 20and%20Reconciliation%20Hearings.pdf Public Hearing Hearing May 29 UBCIC Chiefs Council Nanaimo First Nations http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/Current Events/#axzz2IBYJ Cfyn Public Event JUNE 2013 June 5 – 7 First Nations Summit North Vancouver: First Nations http://www.fns.bc.ca/ Meeting: 2nd of 4 Squamish Nation Stakeholders Public Event Quarterly Meetings Chief Joe Mathias Media Centre June 19 MARR National Victoria Esquimalt First Nations Aboriginal Day Longhouse MARR and Govt 11am – 4pm Celebration employees Ministry event June 21 National Aboriginal Day Various events across First Nations Canada Governments Public Events Stakeholders Media June 26 – 27 (TBC) BCAFN Special Chiefs TBA First Nations http://www.bcafn.ca/files/other-events.php Assembly & Annual Stakeholders Public Event General Meeting JULY 2013 CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT ARR-2013-00053 Page 1 of 274 MINISTRY OF ABORIGINAL RELATIONS AND RECONCILIATION Event and Meeting Schedules May – September 2013 July 3 Metro Vancouver Burnaby: GVRD Government http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/Pages/Bo (GVRD) Aboriginal ardsCommittees.aspx Public Meeting Affairs Committee Full 1 – 4 p.m. Meeting th July 8 - 11 35 Annual BC Elders Prince George: Civic Media http://www.bcafn.ca/files/documents/LheidliTenn
    [Show full text]
  • Hupacasath First Nation Best Practices
    governance toolkit Principle: Economic Realization Government: Hupacasath First Nation best practices OPPORTUNITY In October 2006, Hupacasath launched the China When Hupacasath Chief Judith Sayers and council decided Creek Micro-Hydro Project through Upnit Power to harness the power running through their lands, the result Corporation – upnit means “a calm place” in the Nuu- was a best practices model of how to build a small hydro chah-nulth language. The micro-hydro dam is 72.5% project. Hupacasath owned with minority partners from Ucluelet First Nation, Synex International Subsidiaries Widespread opposition to the Duke Point natural gas and the City of Port Alberni. Upnit began business facility in the late '90s was the impetus for council to with a secure 20-year BC Hydro contract to supply explore other options for resource development in the power to up to 6,000 homes. Hupacasath territory near Port Alberni, B.C. When faced with the possible environmental impacts of PRINCIPLE IN ACTION another electrical development, Hupacasath knew they The 2006 launch of China Creek was more than five needed to be intimately involved in the planning, deci- years in the making. While the Hupacasath knew they sions and development to minimize negative effects couldn’t allow the devastation of their lands and water, and ensure the First Nations shared in the benefits. they also knew that more power was needed on Vancouver Island. Given their earlier opposition to Hupacasath opposed the gas generator and, more traditional power projects, council recognized that important, offered an alternative solution. In 2003, both their and the Port Alberni communities would be with help from researchers at the Pembina Institute watching.
    [Show full text]
  • Fisheries Council Communique
    JANUARY 2013 ISSUE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE As this is the January edition of our Communiqué, I will be updating you on some of the activities that took place during the November to January period. The FNFC Annual General Assembly was held in Port Alberni, and was by all accounts a great success. The AGA was well attended, and the agenda was full and included many topical issues including a Cohen update, an analysis on Bill C-38, and a progress analysis on the implementation of the First Nations Fisheries Action Plan. Look for some of this information further on in the Communiqué, and also on the FNFC website under the “Communications” tab. In December, the FNFC supported the AFN in the development of the meeting in Gatineau, Quebec to present at the National AFN meeting in Ottawa. FNFC Executive members Cliff Atleo and Ken Malloway attended, and were part of a consolidated approach to have resolutions adopted concerning C-38 impacts, including the federal approach to the regulatory environment and fast tracking legislation (e.g. changes to the Fisheries Act and Canadian Environmental Assessment Act). In addition, here are more of the current issues we’re working on at the FNFC from the perspective of the Executive Director and the Executive Council. We hope that these bi-monthly updates will help to keep BC First Nations informed about the initiatives and activities of our organization. Recent strategic meetings of the Council have included: • FNFC Charter development meetings. • November – signing of the Charter between the FNFC and the Nuu-chah-nulth Council of Ha’wiih.
    [Show full text]