- u rU c ( .t p o+P- rTh. - RUAo 1 HiShiIfhrSa Canada's Oldest First Nation's Newspaper - Serving Nuu -chah- nulth -aht since 1974 Lbnwltan nnnt.aMns 51011 en.hsr Vol. 31 - No. 1 - January 15, 2004 has -sitsa "Interesting News" Sala Aenvnonl go. aaWrrló Barkley Sound First Nations reject fish farms By David IVwchar Councillor Judy Sayers said, "a Southern Region Reporter fundamental objective of Hupacasath is to restore wild salmon runs to the streams and rivers in their traditional Port Alberni - The six Nuuchah -nulth territories. Fish farms are widely ' - 4 Nations surrounding Barkley Sound a major impediment to have joined together to reject fish farms regarded., she wrote. within their territories. reaching this objective." Our community is definitely opposed Ina letter to Tod Needham, Director of fish farms being own and Operations for Heritage Salmon to the way are hard to have the Penny Aquaculmre Co., leaders of the six we're working nations demanded that any restocking or Creek fish farm removed from our territory," said Sayers. "Heritage Salmon expansion plans be cancelled at the we company's two Alberni Inlet fish farms, is looking to relocate and want them to relocate, but the province is renewing and the farms be moved out of Nuu - chah- nulth territory. them for another two years. The original application was never referred to us. "If necessary, we will oppose We've never had a say. The government said First Nations were not in opposition your continued operation and to the fish farms, but that was because proposed expansion in Barkley they never talked to us," she said. Snowfall caused closures as both NTC and carious First Sound and Alberni Inlet to the "There re already enough stresses on fullest extent. We trust that you our wild stocks. We don'tn need to add Nations' offices were closed on January fith and 7th as more will respect this decision, and any others than two -feet of snow fell in many areas along the west coast of terminate your existing and An overall declaration from the Barkley the island. Offices of the NTC and many member First Nations Sound area Ha'wiih and Chief proposed operations in Barkley business 8th, 2004. Councillors regarding open net pen fish reopened for regular on Thursday January Sound and Alberni Inlet," the fanning in their territories was included Chiefs' said. with the letter: Nuu- chah -nulth claim Fishing "We, the First Nations Barkley "We respectfully request that you cease Sound Alton, Inks. comprised of plans for Barkley Sound and expansion Huu-ay -anti Hupacasath, Toquaht, Territories through courts Alberni Inlet, and that as soon as Tseshaht, Ucluelet, and Uchucklesaht Ten Nuu- chah -nulth First Nations are willing to negotiate, but they have possible, you relocate your existing farm First Nations own and possess proceeding with a lawsuit against the suspended negotiations with Nuu -chah- sites at MacTush and San Mateo Bay to Aboriginal Title and Aboriginal Rights Crown by filing their Statement of Claim nulth and arc withholding funding from areas outside of our territories. We will to the land and sea resources of our in B.C. Supreme Court on December 16, on- treaty related economic not accept any new fish being placed territories. 2003. development projects to penalize Nuu - into net pens in our territories," the and enhanced Pacific The lawsuit, which was commenced last chah -nulth for taking this legal action" Chiefs said in their letter. "If necessary, The wild salmon and other fisheries resources of June with a Writ of Summons, claims we well oppose your continued operation aboriginal fishing rights in respect of the Nuu -chah -nulth First Nations and proposed expansion in Barkley our territories are critically important territories of the ten First Nations. a Sound and Alberni Inlet to the fullest to our people as food, in countless are proceeding with lawsuit Through this litigation, the Ahousaht, extent. We trust that you will respect spiritual and cultural ways, and to our against the Crown by filing their Ditidaht, Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, this decision, and terminate your economies. Statement of Claim in B.C. Hupacasath, Mowachaht/Ivluchalaht, existing and proposed operationsop in W a have invested heavily in the Supreme Court on December 16, Nuchatlaht, Pacheedaht, Tla -o -qui -tint, Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet," they rebuilding and restoration of our wild was and Tseshaht First Nations are seeking to 2003. The lawsuit, which said. and enhanced Pacific salmon. have their rights to fish and to sell fish comenced last June with a "Our community is absolutely opposed "We are concerned with any and all cognized in order to sustain and Writ of Summons, claims to open net pen fish farms. We're activities that threaten the health and ( develop their economies in their aboriginal fishing rights in t working really hard to get our wild well being of our aquatic resources. respect of the territories of ten salmon back," said Huu- ay -aht Natural -We have particular concerns with the n"It is unfoernmate that it has come to Resources director Larry Johnson. "We First Nations. existing and potential negative impacts litigation" said Shawn Atieo, NTC signed ono that letter to unite with of open net cage salmon farming on Central Region Co -Chair. "Nuu -chah- other tribes and have a united front The claims of the ten First Nations arc our wild and enhanced Pacific salmon nulth First Nations have been trying to : against these fish farms. They [Heritage baud on aboriginal rights to fish and t and other aquatic resources. negotiate a fair and reasonable fisheries Salmon] were really taken aback sell fish, and on aboriginal title to "As Ha'wiih and Chiefs of our First agreement at the Treaty table for over because of this letter, and we'll be fishing territories and fishing sites Nations, we declare our opposition to eight year. Canada and B.C. are stuck meeting with than over the next few throughout their territories. Since open net cage salmon fanning in on what they want to 'offer' Nuuchah- weeks to discuss the issue further," he before the arrival of Europeans in North Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet" nulth, with little understanding of the said. America, the Nuu-OIW -morph Nations Ha- Shilth -Sa tried to contact Mr. needs of our communities," Arks Ina separate letter addressed have owned and used fishing territories for his continued. "We have told Canada and specifically to Heritage Salmon's Penny Needham from Heritage Salmon response to the letters, but as of press B.C. in and in writing that we arc Creek fish farm, Hupacasath Chief person continued on page 3 time he had not returned our calls. If undeliverable, please return to: Ina- Shiloh -S Tim Paul mask makes Post front page Page 2 P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2 Away- from -home people discuss treaty Page 3 NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CANADA NEWSPAPER COLLECTION (17) Kyuquot students hatching future plans Page 5 395 WELLINGTON ST_ Newsstand OTTAWA, ONTARIO (IA ONo College connects communities Page 6 Price Ahousaht Há wiih releases book Page 7 $1 NEDC Business News Page 20 ISSN 07154143 Page 2 - Ha- Shilth -So - January 15, 2004 Ha- Shilth -Ss. - January 15, 2004 - Page 3 IIa- Shilth -Sa newspaper is and KLECO'S Nuu- chah -nulth -aht living away from home discuss treaty issues published by the Nuu -shah -nulrh LETTERS letters MUST be Tribal Council for distribution to !!aShilrh -Sl will include letters received from its readers. All Negotiator Cliff Allot Sr., Northern few NTC delegates would on it. By David Wiwchar the Nun - signed by the writer and hare the writer's name, address & phone number Region Co-chair Archie Little, and speak to those gathered the members of fourteen Southern Region Reporter can be withheld M moues). rinnnrmoa, .submissions unified be accented Region about chah -nulrh First Nations as well Names Southern Co-chair David Dennis. moon of We reserve the right to edit submitted material for clarity, brevity, "It's been a while since we've been imponanie. as other interested groups and Nuu- chah -nulth -aht living away from grammar and good taste. We will definitely n.f publish letters dealing with tribal here, but not much has happened in that "While we've been individuals. Information & original home in various Pacific Northwest or personal disparea or issues that are critical of Nuu -shah -ninth individuals or time." said Atleo Sr, who is a lead negotiating treaties wive work contained in this newspaper is urban centers received a few heats from groups negotiator on fisheries issues along with been sitting hack and the may not be home during the Christmas holidays. copyright and opinions expressed In learn to the editor are purely those of the Richard Watts and Simon Lucas. "Treaty governments have been All "We want you to know that even reproduced without written not necessarily coincide with the views or policies of the Nuu - negotiations have been stalled since July. cutting back on more and writer and will though you live away from home, we permission from: or its member First Nations. We filed a writ of summons at the end of more of our programs and chah-nulrh Tribal Council haven't forgotten you," said NTC Tribal Council June and we've been waiting for the two services; said David Nuu -chah -nulth Protocol Worker Willard Gallic to a levels of government to decide what Dennis.. -In Port Alberni P.O. Box 1383, crowd of more than 70 people gathered they're going to do, and come back to alone more than 50 Port Alberni, B.C.