Alliance of First Nations forms to support Coast Tsimshian in container port dispute

Alliance of First Nation forms to support Coast Tsimshian in container port dispute

The Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams First Nations are receiving support from First nation groups across the region, as they continue with their plans to seek out a settlement from the Federal Government and Prince Rupert Port Authority over their outstanding issues of consultation and accommodation.

The situation recently came back to prominence with a statement from the two First Nations that they would not allow Phase one of the soon to be container port to be begin operation, until they were satisfied with the resolution of their concerns.

The Daily News featured the latest developments on the front page of Thursday’s paper.

OTHER FIRST NATIONS GET BEHIND COAST TSIMSHIAN
Representatives from across region say talks must be started up again
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Pages one and three

An alliance of Coastal First Nations have thrown their support behind Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla and are calling on the federal government to resume its discussions with the Coast Tsimshian on the Prince Rupert Port expansion.

“We fully support the Coast Tsimshian on this issue,” said Art Sterrit, executive director of the Coastal First Nations. “There is no question of the existence of the rights and interests of all the Coastal First Nations and particularly those people closest to the project. The Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations have been reasonable in their position with the federal government on the port expansion. We fully support and we support them in their objective of having ensuring that their social, environmental and economic concerns are met before the project can proceeds.”

The Coastal First Nations recently passed a resolution to support the Coast Tsmishian, in their support, the alliance of Coastal First Nations noted “That they strongly support the actions of Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams in regard to the issues related to the development of the Port of Prince Rupert, and further more, have resolved to commit to become actively involved in the development and implementation of an action plan, including with meeting in Prince Rupert to provide our support to the two First Nations on this issue,”

The Coast Tsimshian have asked the federal government to meet its duty of consultation and accommodation in respect to the Fairview Terminal expansion, Garry Reece, chief councilor for the Lax Kw’alaams Band said. “There has been no progress or consultation and the federal government cannot sweep this under the rug.”

“We will not allow Phase 1 to commence operations unless our concerns have been addressed,” added Harold Leighton, chief councilor for Metlakatla.

While the Prince Rupert Port Authority said the federal government has made an offer worth 7.5 million and concluded consultations for Phase 1, the two First Nations say the agreement does not recognize their aboriginal rights and title and does not meet the standards of consultation and accommodation.

The issue is currently before the Federal Court of Canada.

“The federal Federal Government of Canada has steadfastly refused to properly or adequately engage First Nations in the planning or development of the mega-port already in progress in Prince Rupert, and they must return to the table with the Coast Tsimshian,” said Guujaaw, president of the Coastal First Nations and the Council of the Haida nation.

“We’re urging the federal government to return to the negotiating table. At this stage of the development, the involvement of the First Nations will make for a better project,” said Guujaaw.

He noted that the increase in traffic alone will impact the lives of Coastal First Nations.

“Compounded with the prospect of bilge, waste and ballast discharge introducing foreign organisms and hydrocarbons into these waters are matters that we should all be concerned with. Consider an increase of traffic with weak and antiquated maritime laws and the fact that Canada has been dismantling it’s navigational aids over the past decade and consider the social impacts of a mega port, and you will know why this project cannot be designed by economics alone,’ said Guujaaw.

Sterritt noted there is a rapid increase in developments on the North Coast and said there are concerns about the cumulative impacts that the port project and other developments will have on the environment.

“The Coastal First Nations want to state very clearly we will not stand back and have our environmental and economic concerns ignored,” he said.

The Coast First Nations are an alliance of First Nations on British Columbia’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. Communities include the Wuikinuxv Nation, Heiltsuk, Kitassoo/Xaixais, Gitga’at, Haisla, Metlkatla, Homalco, Old Massett, Skidegate and the Council of the Haida Nation,