Volume 12 • Issue 01
FEBRUARY 2016
SOLUTIONS & CHALLENGES
CLIMATE CHANGE CLEAN ENERGY FOOD SECURITY WATER PAGES 8-23
TSAWWASSEN SAYS ‘NO’ TO LNG FACILITY PAGE 15
COAST SALISH PROTOCOL EXPLAINED PAGE 6
NEW MALAHAT CHIEF LOST FOR WORDS ON LNG PAGE 14
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NAUT’SA MAWT TRIBAL COUNCIL NATIONS
OPINION Coast Salish 24/7 Naut’sa mawt-Working together as one EDITORIAL TEAM Mark Kiemele - Editor editor@salishseasentinel.ca Cara McKenna - Writer caradawnmckenna@gmail.com Tricia Thomas - Photographer Bronwen Geddes - Copy Editor DESIGN Salish Eye Productions ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Manoj Sood ads@salishseasentinel.ca 604-943-6712 OR 1-888-382-7711 PUBLISHER Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 330-6165 Highway17A Delta, BC V4K 5B8 Gary Reith, CAO 604-943-6712 | 1-888-382-7711 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT # 42922026
The Salish Sea map was created in 2009 by Stefan Freelan at Western Washington University
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The Salish Sea Sentinel is published monthly, ten times a year, by the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, representing 6,500 people in 11 member nations. Salish Sea Sentinel is all rights reserved. Contents and photographs may not be reprinted without written permission. The statements, opinions and points of view expressed in articles published in this magazine are those of the authors. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials.
COVER PHOTO: The main photo was taken by Darren Stone and accompanied an article in the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper. The photo of Chief Bryce Williams is courtesy of the BC government. Other photos by Sentinel staff.
1. HALALT (250) 246-4736 chief@halalt.org www.halalt.org
7. SNUNEYMUXW (Nanaimo) (250) 740-2300 johngwesley@shaw.ca www.snuneymuxw.ca
2. HOMALCO (250) 923-4979 m.enevoldsen@homalco.com
8. STZ’UMINUS (Ladysmith) (250) 245-7155
3. KLAHOOSE Qathen Xwegus Management Corp (250) 935-6536 www.klahoose.com 4. MALAHAT (250) 743-3231 caroline.harry@malahatnation.com www.malahatnation.com 5. SLIAMMON (604) 483-9646 clint.williams@sliammon.bc.ca www.sliammonfirstnation.com www.sliammontreaty.com 6. SNAW-NAW-AS (Nanoose) (250) 390-3661 chris.bob@nanoose.org www.nanoose.org
Ray.Gauthier@coastsalishdevcorp.com
www.stzuminus.com 9. TSAWWASSEN (604) 943-2122 info@tsawwassenfirstnation.com www.tsawwassenfirstnation.com 10. TSLEIL-WAUTUTH (604) 929-3454 bbaptiste@twnation.ca www.twnation.ca 11. T’SOU-KE (Sooke) (250) 642-3957 administrator@tsoukenation.com www.tsoukenation.com Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council 8017 Chemainus Road Chemainus, BC V0R 1K5 (250) 324-1800 www.nautsamawt.org SALISH SEA SENTINEL
1
OPINION
THE FEDERAL ELECTION WAS EASY, BUT NOW THE HARD WORK BEGINS into murdered and missing Indigenous women MORE THAN 100 days after Canada’s election and girls; address the high rate of Indigenous and the honeymoon period for Prime Minister populations in jails; and help to repeal some or Justin Trudeau still seems to be continuing. all of Bill C-51, the national security legislation. That is probably because expectations are so Equally big jobs face Hunter Tootoo of Nunahigh in First Nation communities as well as the vut, who is the new minister of fisheries, oceans, rest of the country. The remarkable cabinet that and the Coast Guard; and Dr. Carolyn Bennett, was announced in early November has a lot to the new minister of Indigenous and Northern do with it, especially with regards to key appointAffairs, and other members of cabinet. ments such as Justice Minister Jody Wilson-RayGrand Chief Ed John of the First Nations bould, who is also the attorney general. Summit executive put it well when he said: “It’s A former regional chief of the BC Assembly time to now concentrate on true reconciliation of First Nations, her traditional name is Puglass, and set aside Canada’s historic approach of fightwhich means ‘a woman born to noble people’. She ing, and in some cases denying the existence of, is from We Wai Kai Nation at Campbell River and Jody Wilson-Raybould Indigenous peoples and nations in the courts.” Cape Mudge on Quadra Island. We agree. There is far more important work to do. Our hands The new minister has an incredible amount of work ahead of her. are raised in welcome to this apparent sea change in our lives. She has been tasked to, among many things, help set up an inquiry
OTHER VIEWS SAVE THE EULACHON Excerpts from a letter by retired fisheries planner David Ellis, Vancouver. Edited for brevity. May I recommend that the new Trudeau government make it a priority for 2016 to fully restore First Nations’ access to the eulachon and herring egg, foods which are as important to their cultures as salmon… The commercial roe herring fishery has been one of the most profitable in the world, and for too long has been illegally coveted by the corporate commercial fishing sector, at the expense of the First Nations. Throughout the coast, most of the First Nations families have now lost access, or are fast losing access, to this key cultural food. This is a major social justice and “reconciliation” issue.
2 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
signed comments always appreciated - editor@salishseasentinel.ca or contact on page 1.
DON’T GLORIFY WAR! Excerpts from a letter about ‘Honouring Aboriginal Veterans’ in the November edition of the Sentinel. Name withheld. Why oh why do you promote Remembrance Day year after year? It says “They fought to preserve our freedom.” No! Not!… When native soldiers returned to Canada in 1945, they couldn’t even vote… They returned to Canada where their children were still being forced into residential schools… We certainly don’t want to shame native vets, but we shouldn’t pretend they fought for native peoples. Their sacrifice supported the culture that weakened and disrespected native people in atrocious ways.
WELCOME TO TLA’AMIN An excerpt from an editorial entitled ‘Welcome to Tla’amin’ that appeared in the
Jan. 6 edition of the Powell River Peak newspaper. The Tla’amin treaty takes effect on April 5 this year. The upcoming treaty will not even come close to solving all the problems Tla’amin Nation still faces. There is still much healing to do from over a century of oppression, and an even longer history of genocide against First Nations peoples, but a treaty is a step in the right direction and will hopefully begin a stronger relationship with government and City of Powell River. Autonomy is an empowering tool and there is no doubt Tla’amin Nation will use it to strengthen itself in all areas, including infrastructure, finances and community programs. Residents of the area who do not belong to the nation can support its efforts by trusting and encouraging the treaty-implementation process while recognizing and validating Tla’amin’s independence.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
ISLAND BRAVE TO PADDLE IN HAWAIIAN CANOE RACES THE ISLAND BRAVE canoe club from Snuneymuxw First Nation is not only looking ahead to its regular racing season at other Coast Salish communities around the Salish Sea, it is looking internationally. Since late last year, the club has started fundraising so that it can take part in the Moloka’I Hoe men’s outrigger race in Hawaii. More than 1,000 paddlers from around the world take part in the race that began in 1952. Photo courtesy of Chanttel White.
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 3
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
HOMALCO WOMAN INVOLVED IN MISSING WOMEN’S TALKS By Cara McKenna
Fay Blaney, second from left, at a January press conference
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has heard from Homalco member and women’s advocate Fay Blaney as it designs its inquiry into Canada’s crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett met with Blaney and her coalition from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) on the problem on Jan. 12 before her broader consultation on Jan. 13. Blaney’s group was formed after its members were shut out of BC’s inquiry,which centred around the case of serial killer Robert Pickton. Blaney and her coalition have been firm that Canada’s inquiry cannot be a repeat of BC’s and that people who have been touched by the issue – particularly Indigenous women – must be involved. In the hours before she met with Bennett, Blaney and fellow advocates working in the DTES outlined their concerns about how the preliminary consultations into Canada’s inquiry are being handled. She said the meetings that include victims’ family members, loved ones and survivors are exclusionary of women’s groups that could touch on deeper-rooted issues. Blaney also said Indigenous women are facing “triple jeopardy” and the pre-inquiry meetings haven’t delved into how colonialism continues to impact their safety. 4 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
“We’re experiencing sexism and misogyny. We’re experiencing racism and colonialism. And we’re experiencing poverty,” she said. “This inquiry must consult with feminist women’s groups that work with Indigenous women.” Blaney also said that she is concerned about the timeline of the meetings being too short to gather substantial enough information to set up the inquiry. Bennett began the consultations in early January and is expected to conclude in Ottawa on Feb. 15. Meanwhile, the annual Feb. 14 Women’s Memorial March – in honour of Indigenous women who have gone missing or been murdered on the DTES – is on track this year and is expected to draw extra attention in advance of the federal inquiry, which Bennett has said is expected to launch in the spring.
We’re experiencing sexism and misogyny, we’re experiencing racism and colonialism, and we’re experiencing poverty
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Chief Brent Edward with economic development infrastructure work along the Island Highway at Snaw-naw-as
NEW LEADERSHIP VOTED AT MID-ISLAND NATIONS SNAW-NAW-AS First Nation has a new chief while the Snuneymuxw First Nation’s previous chief has been voted onto council. Longtime Snaw-naw-as chief David Bob was voted out on Jan. 11 in favour of Brent Edwards, a former band administrator. There were 117 ballots cast in the vote
which saw Edwards win with 57 votes to Bob’s 31. The new chief was also elected to council and will serve the dual roles. Also elected to council were Gordon Edwards, Lawrence Mitchell and Christopher Bob. Meanwhile at Snuneymuxw, one of BC’s largest nations, members elected five
councillors in December. Among them was Doug White III, the nation’s last chief who was voted out in the 2013 election. There were 466 votes cast which saw White III leading the polls. Also elected were: Regan Seward, 135 votes; Douglas J.C. White II, 125; Isaac Thomas, 117; and Stacy Jean (Kate) Good with 116.
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 5
COAST SALISH PROTOCOL
WE’VE GOT TO SPEAK OF THESE THINGS...
Geraldine Manson
COAST SALISH PROTOCOL was the topic when Geraldine Manson and her brother-in-law Gary Manson of Snuneymuxw talked to students, staff and others at Shq’apthut – A Gathering Place – at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. The January gathering was part of VIU’s on-going series entitled ‘Creating conversations for reconciliation and indigenization’. After introducing themselves, Geraldine and Gary listened as everyone told their names and their origins. “Protocol to me is...” Gary said, “I want to know who you are, where you are from, where your parents are from. It is a very simple way to respect each other.” Geraldine added: “It is respecting one’s space and knowing who each other is so we can walk the same path together.” As Gary talked about protocol in all its forms, he added a history lesson for the group of about 35 people. 6 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
“It’s important that we know our history and the losses that went along with that history and losses of protocol. Every family had a speaker, teaching the old ways.... songs, masks, rattles, relations... our protocol… that history was lost. “People our parents’ age made a choice not to hand down our culture because they were afraid. The were afraid their children would be taken away if they were caught doing it.” He said the 1960s saw the beginning of a revival of culture, but also a cultural clash within communities. “Some sacred things survived… but we not only lost the culture, but our footing of where we belong… Some communities didn’t even know their songs, so others shared.” He said initiative such as the Tribal Journeys canoe experience are part of the ongoing cultural revitalization. But, he added: “The current electoral system, we
At Shq’apthut, Vancouver Island Univertisty
Gary Manson
are uncomfortable with it, but we function as best we can under that system.” Motioning to the building, Gary talked about connecting to one’s surroundings. “There is a different protocol in this house. When you are speaking to the ocean, introduce yourself to that place.” He referred to Creation stories. “When man fell from the sky… We’ve got to speak of these things in order not to lose them… our relation to all living things.” Geraldine added: “We all carry wisdom, everyone of us. Learn to use your ears and heart, not your eyes. That is the secret.”
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
MEGA-MALLS
MEGA OPPORTUNITIES
The retail developments are in the foreground with Tsawwassen industrial lands in the top centre
STORES AT THE TSAWWASSEN First Nation’s rapidly developing megamalls are expected to start opening as soon as May, with a full opening of the massive shopping complex scheduled for this fall. Numbers are staggering for the development along Highway 17 near the BC Ferries terminal. There will be 1.8 million square feet for retail, office, entertainment and other uses. Tsawwassen Mills will take up about two-thirds of that with the
remainder occupied by Tsawwassen Commons. The developments are bringing many opportunities to Tsawwassen members, according to Tanya Corbet of the TFN Economic Development Corporation. One is for artists who have been contracted to add a cultural component to the otherwise contemporary facility. TFN-EDC chief executive Chris Hartman said a number of the nation’s artists
are working on pieces that will be made commercial scale for the facility’s floors, ceilings, benches and more. “For example there will be a piece of weaving, there will be a storytelling on that weaving and then on the roof will be [a depiction of] the weaving,” he said. The entire mall projects, when complete, is also expected to create about 3,000 full- and part-time jobs. Thousands more were created during construction.
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 7
SENTINEL PROFILE
TANYA STEPS UP FROM BEHIND THE SCENES by Cara McKenna
TANYA CORBET SPENT YEARS working behind the scenes to get Tsawwassen First Nation, where she was born and raised, into the news. Now she’s the one in front of the camera. The long-time communications pro has a new job with her nation as it moves on massive housing and mall developments that will completely change the face of its land and finances. It is a big job, but she is pushing her limits further by endorsing a non-profit group based in Delta that helps special needs children and has given invaluable assistance to her nephew, who has autism. Tanya Corbet in her new job as manager of community outreach for the TFN economic development corporation
To the opening of the Gateway logistics centre in June 2010, Tanya Corbet has been working in the background for her nation
8 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
“I’m on the board for the Reach Child and Youth Development Society and the reason why I’m doing it is for my nephew,” she said. “My sister and her family receive a ton of support from Reach… so it’s very important to me to help that organization to grow.” Corbet’s speaking gigs have so far included an appearance on Global morning news late last year. It’s a complete reverse from what Corbet is accustomed to, which has been connecting eager reporters with contacts from Tsawwassen as the nation undergoes transitions. In her 16-year career working for the nation, that has included handling communications for chief and council during Tsawwassen’s negotiations for treaty, which was ratified in 2007. It was the first urban treaty in the province, so interest was intense, Corbet said. “Everybody was interested, especially when it came down to voting day. We had media camped out and then we had a huge scrum,” she said. “I remember the last calls were going until about midnight, and then the phones started ringing again at about six in the morning for interviews.” She worked in the treaty office for eight years and another eight years in the chief ’s office as an executive assistance for both former chief Kim Baird and current Chief Bryce Williams, while also handling communications.
SENTINEL PROFILE
Last summer she accepted an offer to work for TFN Economic Development Corporation as manager of community outreach. She said her new role will have her working with the nation’s members more directly, including supporting businesses through grants and other initiatives. That is something she is excited to work on as she has deep roots in the community. In fact, she currently lives with her family in the same home she grew up in.
From treaty effective date in April 2009
“I’m excited to still be in my community because that is what’s most important to me, and just to be part of the progress, moving forward,” she said. “From when I was a little kid growing up here to now, there are huge changes, but
they’re exciting to see… it’s been years and years of planning and to actually see construction and doors opening on the projects is super exciting.”
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 9
AROUND THE SALISH SEA AROUND THE SALISH SEA
DIRTY SOIL FIGHT SEES NATIONS VOICING CONCERNS TO BC
An up-close view of the dump site during a December tour
ONE OF THE FIRST actions by the new chief and council at Malahat First Nation, in early December, was to ask BC’s environment minister Mary Polak “to take immediate action” on a permit for a contaminated soil dump near its neighbours at Shawnigan Lake. Less than two weeks later, Cowichan Tribes sent BC’s environmental protection branch a detailed eight-page letter voicing similar concerns about a facility that receives 100,000-tonnes of soil per year. The Cowichan Valley regional district has also come out against the dumping and, in early January, so did Victoria city council. On Jan. 22, a BC Supreme Court judge accepted an affidavit signed by Chief Caroline Harry and all three councillors. Malahat asked for a ‘stay’ to challenge the dumping permit. The judge’s acceptance means that a judicial review will be held in Victoria from Feb. 15-26. The 11-page affidavit said that Malahat and its neighbours wanted to be assured: “that adequate steps have been taken to respond to the allegations and… for proper consultation to occur.” But pressure is building on the BC government and the company operating the landfill in the hills above the Shawnigan and Sooke Lakes watersheds. 10 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
South Island Aggregates location
All this wouldn’t ordinarily be big news around Malahat Nation, except for the fact that the soil dump was a key reason why former chief Michael Harry, and eventually the rest of the nation’s councillors, resigned last August. The chief left office after allegations arose that he received payments from the company – South Island Aggregates – after earlier publicly voicing his support for the project.
Protester outside the dump site
Boots in Orange Leachate
In its Dec. 9 letter to Polak, Malahat said it would reconsider its earlier support for the project permit. The letter was signed by Chief Caroline Harry and councillors Vince Harry, Matt Harry and George Harry. The earlier support came from the previous leadership. Now, Malahat says it has “serious concerns… about the scientific information used to assess the permit application”. A strongly-worded Dec. 21 letter from Chief Chip Seymour of Cowichan referred to “negative impacts to our Aboriginal rights” as well as the potential contamination of drinking water. It also outlined concerns about risks to traditional bathing and fishing sites in the area. Meanwhile, the Shawnigan community worries about the effects the dump site could have on its drinking water. “There’s no relenting until the permit is revoked and the soil that’s been dumped already is removed,” said Sonia Furstenau, the local director on the regional district board. “That cannot sit in our watershed. We are not going to let it stay.”
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Protestors gathered at the site on Jan 6
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AROUND THE SALISH SEA
POWELL RIVER TO THANK ELSIE POWELL RIVER RESIDENTS will turn out to the historic Dwight Hall on March 4 to honour and thank Dr. Elsie Paul of Tla’amin First Nation for her many contributions to the community. Sponsored by the municipality and the regional district, the evening will included Tla’amin dancers, songs from the Powell River Academy of Music chamber choir and the Powell River Chorus as well as readings from her memoir Written As I Remember It. A number of speakers are also scheduled to thank Elsie “for her gracious service to Powell River”. According to organizer Donna Vance, the 84-year-old elder is “a tireless worker
for Tla’amin and for Powell River. She just gives and gives of herself with seemingly endless energy. “She has opened our international choral festival, Kathaumixw, for decades, opens many other cultural events with a prayer and has blessed us with her gracious presence too many times to count. She is wise and gracious and well loved by so many, an invaluable bridge between the two cultures.” The cover of Elsie’s book and the 2015 feature on her in this magazine
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30079 (09/2014)
e
FEBR 11 • Issue 01 UARY , 2015
CLIMATE CHANGES...CAN WE?
In this feature, we are talking about the challenges and opportunities that lay before us all in 2016. Some of our nations are leading the way in finding non-fossil fuel energy sources. Some have said ‘No’ to LNG, others have said ‘Yes… well, maybe’. Also included are reports from COP21 in Paris, articles about food production and some of the things our Coast Salish relations in the USA are doing. When the Coast Salish Gathering was held in Cowichan in 2007, our relations from around the Salish Sea came together over common concerns about the environmental damage that is changing the way of life lived by all creatures in our world.
THE 2007 MISSION STATEMENT REMAINS UNCHANGED We, the Indigenous peoples of the Salish Sea – with our autonomous status as sovereign Coast Salish Tribes and First Nations and our inherent responsibility as protectors of our Mother Earth – will continue to work together and speak with one voice for the preservation, restoration, and protection of the Salish Sea Eco Region for the sustainability of our sacred inherent family rights and values that have been passed on to us by our ancestors. SALISH SEA SENTINEL 13
CLIMATE AND ENERGY
MALAHAT LNG DEAL NO ‘GAS’ FOR NEW CHIEF by Mark Kiemele
WHEN CAROLINE HARRY was elected as Malahat Nation’s first female chief in November, she expected to live up to her campaign promise of open and transparent leadership and restoring connections with other First Nations on the Saanich Pennisula. She also expected to revisit the deal signed with Steelhead LNG over a floating gas facility adjacent to the recently purchased Bamberton industrial lands. Not to mention making up with neighbours in Shawnigan Lake over a contaminated soil dump. But by early January, reality had set in for the 40-year mother of six. As she posed for a photograph at the band office, with
Chief Caroline Harry
14 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Saanich Inlet in the background, she was at a loss for words. “The whole LNG thing… we were backed into a corner,” she said of deals signed by the previous chief and council, all of whom resigned in August. “I am not authorized to meet or talk with anyone about it… I’ve also been told I cannot speak about the soil or I could be liable for $2 million.” She spoke again to The Sentinel a week later, on the day she learned that senior staff had resigned and moved into a building at Bamberton where they would operate the Malahat Investment Corporation. “They said the corporation would operate at Bamberton on behalf of Malahat Nation.”
STERN CRITIC OF LNG DEAL ONE OF THE STERNEST critics of the Malahat/Steelhead LNG project is Adam Olsen, a member of Tsartlip First Nation and the interim-leader of the BC Green Party. “I grew up fishing next Bamberton and on the docks in Brentwood and I love the Saanich Inlet,” he told an LNG information meeting at Shawnigan Lake community hall in early December. But he laid most of the blame at the door of Steelhead. “A good partner would understand our laws,” he said of the five Saanich tribes and Douglas treaty rights. “Steelhead pretended all they had to speak to was one of five villages.” “These are some of the most complex relationships in BC… It’s on Steelhead,” he said of the LNG announcement last fall. “It makes me very sad that they made an announcement with no elected chief and council in place at Malahat Nation. That was their decision and it speaks to their corporate culture.”
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
TSAWWASSEN SAYS ‘NO’ TO LNG ‘A WELL INFORMED CHOICE’ SAYS CHIEF
MEMBERS OF THE TSAWWASSEN Nation Nation have voted down plans to build a liquefied natural gas export facility in their lands. Leaders said in November that they would let the nation’s members decide whether or not they wanted the project. The vote on Dec. 16 had 53 per cent of voters opposed to the concept. Forty-eight per cent of eligible voters on- and off-reserve participated, with 74 members saying ‘No’ and 65 saying ‘Yes’. There was one rejected ballot. The nation announced in a media release that it would not be going ahead with further discussions around the project, which would occupy 32 hectares
and produce from three to five million tonnes of LNG each year. The proposal came with promised jobs and “significant” financial gain, however there were concerns about the deal. Some members were worried about the fact that no environmental assessment would be done prior to the vote. They also worried about the quick vote just weeks after the band announced it was considering LNG on Nov. 16. The vote showed that the majority of members put those concerns ahead of money. A question-and-answer sheet on the proposal from chief and council was leaked by a Tsawwassen member to the Delta Optimist newspaper, indicating that
members would receive $5,000 per year for up to three years while the facility was being built, plus $15,000 per year for the entire 40-year lease. Chief Bryce Williams said that members put considerable time, energy and effort into considering the facility. “I was extremely impressed with the level of engagement we saw during the vote,” he said. “It was clear to me that our community educated itself and made a well-informed choice. I look forward to continuing to work with our community as we work to secure our long-term goal of building a healthy and sustainable future for our children.”
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 15
CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Chief Gordon Planes speaks about sustainability at the University of Victoria
GOVERNANCE POWERS T’SOU-KE FUTURE “GOOD GOVERNANCE IS THE KEY,” says Chief Gordon Planes when he talks about his nation’s never-ending journey for sustainability… and survival. “We all must have light footprint on Mother Earth.” It is a message that T’Sou-ke First Nation has been spreading to other nations and communities across Canada since it completed its massive solar power project in the summer of 2009. And it is one that is becoming increasingly important as climate changes while energy and food sources become questionable. “We are preparing ourselves through strong governance and asserting our Douglas Treaty rights,” he said. “We are always evolving, because we have to. And we will keep on this path because we have 16 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
good governance, no matter who the leader of our nation is.” Chief Planes spoke to The Sentinel before he left for a climate action conference in Edmonton at the end of January. He is no stranger to speaking, listening and discussing the future. The evolving story of T’Sou-ke is well received, whether at bigwig conferences in cities or around the table with Coast Salish neighbours from the Salish Sea.
T’Sou-ke solar installation trainees on roof
“I think that if you’re well prepared in governance, you will be able to do a lot of things in your community that will help us all,” he said. “Checks and balances need to be in place and there has to be good fiscal management.” He said that some nations move towards self-governance through treaty to quickly, exhibiting un-organization rather than good organization. “You’ve gotta walk before you run. That’s why T’Sou-ke has clout with all levels of government. People listen to us because we have a lot of years of good practices.” In Edmonton he spoke not only about food, water and energy security, but also about new initiatives at his nation through partnerships in tidal power or micro-grid technology. “It is consistent with our longhouse ideals,” he said of spreading the message. “We are giving this information away free of charge to show how sustainability can be achieved once again, using the power of the sun, wind and sea.”
CLIMATE AND ENERGY For years now, people have been showing up at T’Sou-ke wanting to know more about the solar project. Government ministers, First Nation leaders and visitors from throughout North America are coming by the busload. Some arrive in electric vehicles and take advantage of the charging station, powered by solar, of course, outside the administration offices. “We use everything we do as an educational tool to get the message out, Chief Planes said. When T’Sou-ke was awarded the Solar Community of the Year award four years ago, it became widely known as the as the most solar-intensive community in Canada. In that role, it has been spreading its sustainability message. “Eventually everyone will be forced to do this,” Chief Planes said. “We didn’t want to wait until we were forced.”
Several years ago the small school at T’Sou-ke First Nation entered a gingerbread house competition that open to all elementary schools in the Sooke region. The children, being from a solar-friendly community, automatically put solar panels on the roof of the gingerbread ‘longhouse’ as they had only ever seen houses with the panels on their reserve and naturally assumed everyone else had them. They won the competition!
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 17
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
SALMON STRUGGLE, WE STRUGGLE
TSLEIL-WAUTUTH ‘CONFIDENT’ ON STOPPING PIPELINE PLAN A LEGAL EXPERT says a number of recent events could affect whether TsleilWaututh Nation will be successful in halting National Energy Board’s review of a proposed pipeline expansion project in its territory. Kinder Morgan’s $5.4 billion plan would nearly triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, which carries crude oil from Alberta to the BC coast. Tsleil-Waututh is alleging that it was not consulted when Canada began its environmental assessment process around the project. The nation was expected back before the Federal Court of Appeal for a final time on Jan. 22 after an initial hearing on Oct. 27. Eugene Kung, a lawyer for TsleilWaututh’s anti-pipeline initiative the Sacred Trust, said a number of intriguing factors are stacking up in the case. Those include the province’s rejection of the project before Tsleil-Waututh’s hearing before the NEB on Jan. 19, Canada’s new government’s position and a recent Supreme Court ruling that BC failed to consult a number of Coastal First Nations on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. “There is a very long history of First Nations securing legal victories,” he said, adding that the recent Coastal First Na18 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
tions victory “also applies for the Kinder Morgan case, so obviously [Tsleil-Waututh] are very hopeful that it will be successful.” Kung, who is not arguing for Tsleil-Waututh in court, but is watching the case closely, said he will be interested whether the position of Canada’s attorney general will change given the fact that a new government was sworn in after the last court appearance.
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Tsleil-Waututh member Rueben George, of the Sacred Trust, said he feels “pretty confident” the nation will win. “As we’ve said all along, we’ll do whatever it takes,” he said. “We’re not negotiating. … We’re not a rich nation by any means, but you can’t put a price on the things we love.”
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CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Tsleil-waututh Activist Represents
Coast Salish in P ris WHILE THE MASSIVE COP21 UN climate change conference was happening in Paris, France, last month, Indigenous people from around the world were having their own gathering in a chateau north of the city. Reuben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s anti-pipeline organization the Sacred Trust travelled to Europe for the conference. He said the most fruitful discussions came with fellow aboriginal people than at the conference itself, which he described as “a lot of politics.” “We had Indigenous people from all around the world that sat down and were doing good work,” he said. Indigenous people from Mongolia, France, Switzerland, Indonesia and most South American countries were there.
“We sat down and we asked, ‘What can we do? How can we make change, how can we support one another? How can we educate people in a better way?’ And it all came down to our Indigenous rights,” he said. “We have our own laws and they’re all in common no matter what area of the country we’re from.” He said he made many worthwhile contacts and gathered valuable information. He lists the highlights as being all the Indigenous nations in Panama claiming their traditional waters as a sanctuary, and other nations solidifying their traditional laws. “Lots of the South American nations are making things happen and … securing their indigenous rights,” he said. “Just like us, they’re creating treaties, taking what they have and starting to solidify laws.”
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Ta’kaiya Blaney of Sliammon sang in Paris
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 19
CLIMATE AND ENERGY
SLIAMMON LAKE COULD BRING POWER & WATER EVEN BEFORE the effective date of the Tla’amin Treaty in April, the nation has announced that it hopes to become a power in the Powell River region. In early January, the Sliammon Development Corporation (SDC) said it was looking at generating power from a turbine placed in Sliammon Creek. In an initiative that could bring both jobs and revenue to the nation, the plan could see a dam being built at Sliammon Lake that feeds the creek. “We’ve been wanting to fix that dam for at least five years,” said SDC president Erik Blaney. He said that in addition to generating power “We think we can hold back quite a bit of water and it will help us through the summer droughts as well as when fish start to arrive in the creek. “The run-of-river hydro will really be a bonus,” he said. “A turbine location downstream from the dam, probably about 1 km or so away from our hatchery, means we will be able to manage the flows better through the hatchery.”
20 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
Map showing lake and main Sliammon community
CLIMATE AND ENERGY The hatchery suffered serious damage last winter when flooding wiped out infrastructure and killed thousands of salmon eggs. Blaney explained that the project was no spur-of-the-moment thing. “We did a climate change adaption study a few years back and realized that we’re going to have quite a lot more summer droughts and we’re going to need a lot more water in storage for the community as well as for fish. “We even broke the climate change model down to a watershed level. That’s the first time that has ever been done. It is something that may apply to other rivers and valleys throughout our region. He said the coming years and decades will bring great change in the climate. In an era of uncertainty, Blaney is sure that “there’s going to Erik Blaney be less snowpack and more flooding and more drought. It’s going to be drier, but when it’s wet, there will be torrential downpours falling instead of snow. So, we’ll see lots of washouts… massive changes.”
A flood one year ago damaged the Sliammon hatchery
An increased water supply would also allow the nation to build much-needed housing and other developments as Tla’amin becomes self-governing and moves away from the Indian Act. Chief treaty negotiator Roy Francis told the Powell River Peak newspaper that: “Power generation at Sliammon Lake is a good example of a newly developing business project for us,” adding that it is a strategic priority for the nation to create more jobs supporting young people through their post-secondary education. The planned five-megawatt project would connect to the BC Hydro electrical grid. A major transmission line already travels through Sliammon territory. It links run-of river projects in Klahoose First Nation territory in the Toba Valley to the province’s main power grid.
THE ANIMALS ARE TELLING US… STEVEN POINT of Sto:lo Nation, was chief commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission, when he said these words at the 2007 Coast Salish Gathering in Cowichan: “Something is happening. The animals are telling us… We’re at a critical time as people of this earth. The scientists are telling us we have a deadline to meet. Are we already too late? “It’s funny that we are just coming to a time when aboriginal people are taking the first steps in economic development. But we’ve seen the impacts of technological developments over the past 200 years. We can’t afford to make the same mistakes. “As much as I encourage our communities to get involved, the first question has to be: How is this going to impact the environment?” Steven Point at the Coast Salish Gathering in 2007
SALISH SEA SENTINEL 21
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
COAST SALISH JUST SAY ‘NO’ TO
SALISH SEA OIL TRANSPORT
THE COAST SALISH NATION unanimously agreed last summer to work together to address the transport of crude oil shipments, by rail and sea, through their territories. “We live in a pollution-based economy, and for hundreds of years there have been toxins and pollution dumped into the Salish Sea, poisoning our resources and our people who have called this place home since time immemorial,” said Swinomish chairman Brian Cladoosby. “We call to action the federal, state and provincial governments to work with us to restore and protect the Salish Sea through trans-boundary science, and reform of law, policy and regulations that balance environmental protection and economic prosperity so we may all continue to call this unique place our home.” Delegates at the Coast Salish Gathering endorsed the work of tribes to protect their environment, natural resources, culture, sacred places and economic sustainability as the first people of their territories.
22 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
LUMMI NEIGHBOURS FIGHT COAL SHIPMENTS Coast Salish neighbours including Tulalip, “TRIBES ACROSS THE nation and world Swinomish, Quinault, Lower Elwha Klalare facing challenges from corporations lam, Yakama, Hoopa Valley, Nooksack last that are set on development at any cost to Thursday in Washington, D.C. They were our communities… We’re taking a united there to express concerns about the prostand against corporate interests that inposed coal terminal and train railway for terfere with our treaty-protected rights.” Cherry Point, Washington. That was Tim Ballew II, chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council, as quoted in the US newspaper Indian Country Today speaking in Washington D.C. in December. Leaders from Lummi and other nations have long supported Tsleil-Wauauth Nation and its ongoing battle to prevent the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta to tankers in Burrard Inlet. And Coast Salish nations were on the front lines when their US neighbours protested coal trains and increased tanker traffic through northern Puget Sound. Ballew was in Washington D.C. with other Lummi leadBrian Cladoosby ers and members along with
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
FARM SCHOOL GROWS AT
TSAWWASSEN TFN Farm School harvest was celebrated with a pig roast last fall
SOMETHING ELSE IS GROWING at Tsawwassen First Nation amidst the retail malls, housing developments and industrial project. The TFN Farm School, an innovative partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University, has received a $263,000 grant from the Real Estate Foundation of BC. Since last year, 12 First Nations students from BC have had the chance to develop
hands-on skills in agriculture, business development and Indigenous food systems. “This grant will allow the farm to grow and develop an incubator farming model over the next three years,” said Bronwen Geddes who is Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s community planning advisor. She said students will receive support in developing small, sustainable farming businesses.
“The first year of the program has been a wonderful success,” she said. “The plot of land allocated to the project at TFN has gone from barren to bursting with life and gorgeous produce. “This project is the first of its kind in Canada and may have significant benefits to all NmTC members interested in building food security and developing entrepreneurs in their own nations.”
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 23
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
PLANNING CREATES A ROADMAP FOR KLAHOOSE by Johnny Hanuse
24 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY PLANNING (CCP) might seem to be a modern-day exercise with nation members creating a roadmap for future generations. But as Klahoose First Nation works on the second phase of its four-part CCP, they are learning that planning is nowhere near being a new idea. Some theorize that it has been in practice since the beginning of human existence and was used as a tool of survival. Chief James Delorme said “the grassroots involvement in the CCP is essential for a healthy Klahoose community. The information gathered gives chief and council the roadmap for our future and helps us build the framework for what our people desire.” The methods of presentation and information-gathering may take on a modern technological approach, but it still comes down to people gathering to talk about their dreams and practical visions for the future. Cheyenne Hope, the Klahoose CCP coordinator, said that the process, which involves conducting workshops on Cortes Island and in other locations for off-reserve members, is “extremely rewarding”. Meetings have been held at Squirrel Cove, Campbell River, Powell River, Nanaimo and Auburn, Washington.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA “I love having the opportunity to reconnect with our members and hearing everyone’s great ideas. The more we are able to engage our members throughout this process ensures that we will have a strong community plan that will work for our nation and meet our needs. I want the CCP to reflect the voices of all members. The more that our members get involved the more encompassing the plan will be.” The planning stage of the CCP involves ongoing community engagement so members can create guidelines for future generations. There needs to be a vision with principles and directions. There are many pathways that a nation can travel, and it can be positive when needs and concerns are set in place for easy review by the nation’s government. Actions to strengthen the nation for current and future generations require a look at both positive and negative situations in order for growth. From the first phase – pre-planning – the CCP team created seven directions. These emerging directions start with a broad topic such as ‘increase belonging, connections and pride’ or ‘invest in education and training’. Others include: ‘strengthen our health and wellbeing’ and more specific pathways.
Klahoose, like many other nations, has members living throughout the Salish Sea region. To tackle potential disconnection, the CCP team has travelled to several locations so that as many people as possible can contribute to the community-driven plan. At the CCP meetings, there is always a sense of positive inclusion. Even though conversations can sometimes have dark themes, particularly when speaking of health and wellness, the in-depth discussions get members’ minds formulating many ideas of how things could or could not work. Without the voice of the community, the CCP would not exist. The CCP team simply acts as a host to the opinion of those who look forward to the future. The Klahoose CCP team includes Cheyenne Hope, Steven Brown, Johnny Hanuse and Jeff Cook as our mentor.
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TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission published its final reports in late 2015. Now the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation holds the memories of survivors and their hopes for the future. The following is from the NCTR web site.
“Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice.” – Nelson Mandela
“Reconciliation is about ensuring that everything we do today is aimed at that high standard of restoring balance in the relationship between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people.”
– Justice Murray Sinclair, chair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Children on Penelakut (Kuper) Island in this photo from the NCTR website
Reconciliation FOR RECONCILIATION to flourish in Canada, it must be rooted in truth and justice. One truth is that residential school survivors, their families and communities still struggle to overcome the intergenerational legacies left in the wake of these schools. Another truth is that despite the destructive impacts of residential schools, Indigenous nations across Canada are reclaiming and revitalizing their histories, cultures, languages, laws and governance systems. Another truth is that the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians is damaged. Treaties have been broken, children have been taken, and traditional lands have been lost. Reconciling these truths to create a more just, respectful and inclusive Canada is at the heart of Reconciliation. 26 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation was established because survivors had a vision. They wanted to create a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of their residential school experiences were honoured and kept safe for future generations. They want their families, communities and all of Canada to learn from these hard lessons of the past so they will not be repeated. They want to share the wisdom of the elders and traditional knowledge keepers who have so much to teach their own young people and all Canadians about how to create just and peaceful relationships amongst diverse peoples. Reconciliation is not only about the past; it is about the future that Canadians will forge together on these lands we now share.
“To reconcile is to weave a stronger and more vibrant social fabric, based on the unique and diverse strengths of Canadians and their communities.” – Chief Robert Joseph, ambassador for Reconciliation Canada, TRC honorary witness and residential school survivor
Closing Ceremony at Penelakut Island, Returning to the Healing Circle October 2015.
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Residential schools were set up throughout BC. There were 18 of them. • • • • • • • • •
Ahousaht Alberni Anahim Lake Dormitory (Ulkatcho) Cariboo (Williams Lake) Christie (Tofino) Coqualeetza (Chilliwack Home) Cranbrook (St. Eugene's) Kamloops (St. Louis) Kitimaat (Elizabeth Long Memorial Home for Girls)
• • • • • • • • •
Kuper Island (on Penelakut, near Chemainus) Lejac (Stuart Lake) Lower Post Port Simpson (Crosby Home for Girls) Sechelt (St. Augustine’s) St. George’s (Lytton) St. Mary’s (Mission) St. Michael’s (Alert Bay) St. Paul’s (Squamish)
Information A 24-hour national residential school crisis line provides support to former students 1-866-925-4419 National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation www.nctr.ca
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SALISH SEA SENTINEL 27
NEWS IN BRIEF
NANAIMO CANNERY SOLD TO NUU-CHAH-NULTH NATIONS FIVE NUU-CHAH-NULTH nations from the west coast of Vancouver Island have bought the controlling interest in a Nanaimo fish processing plant used by many First Nations. The purchase of St. Jean’s Cannery was made by NCN Cannery LP which is made up of the following nations: Dididaht (Nitnaat); Huey-ay-aht (Bamfield); Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’ (Brooks Peninsula); Uchuck-
lesaht (Barkley Sound); and Yule?it?ath (Ucluelet). The company’s depots around the coast and its subsidiary Raincoast Trading was included in the purchase. The new owners said access to wild stock commercial licenses will be key to the growth of St. Jeans including underutilized wild clam and oysters as well as niche marketing of goose neck barnacles.
SNUNEYMUXW FACILITY NEARS ITS OPENING SNUNEYMUXW FIRST NATION’S multiuse use gymnasium building is substantially completed, but is not yet open to the community except for the store. In a notice to members just before Christmas, the nation said: “There are significant and minor things that must be completed prior to using the new facility.” Chief John Wesley said an opening ceremony was being planned. But before that happens, equipment must be purchased and staff need to be in place and trained to allow for safe operation of the facility.
28 SALISH SEA SENTINEL
The St Jeans cannery in Nanaimo
MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES… ENGINEERING…SALES AND MARKETING? Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is looking for people from our eleven nations who want to know about our new Mentorship Program. We want to link applicants with our partners to provide a paid, professional work environment for up to one year. The idea is to help you realize your career and personal goals and eventually secure permanent, full-time employment based either in the Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island.
Tuytaxun store manager Joe White with assistants Bobbi-Rae Milburn and Helena Charlie
The members’ notice said: “While the construction is complete, it is important to note that the building itself is just a “shell” with no equipment or supplies for it to be operational at this time.”
We want to know if the NmTC Mentorship Program sounds interesting to you. Let us know by sending an email, including your resume to:
jobs@nautsamawt.com
AROUND THE SALISH SEA
Naut’sa mawt
TRIBAL COUNCIL NEW! Naut’sa mawt shipping@nautsamawt.com Tribal Council now offering preferred shipping rates. The Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council has partnered with Overland West Freight Lines and Comox Pacific Express to provide CONNECTING WESTERN CANADA reliable shipping services at preferred rates! Overland West Freight Lines is an industry leader in regional LTL (less than truckload) service. Our Need something shipped? Please contact strategically located terminals, transportation Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council first so we can professionals, and leading edge IT services ensure that we have the capability and expertise to meet and exceed help you with your shipping needs.
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30 SALISH SEA SENTINEL