Coast Tsimshian take their concerns to print

Friday’s Daily News provided the first official word on the current controversy surrounding the Prince Rupert Container Port at Fairview Terminal.

The Coast Tsimshian Tribal Society placed a half page advertisement on the lower half of page 18 of Friday’s paper, outlining their position and concerns.

It is perhaps the first bit of information that has filtered out to the public at large, about their side of the discussion and provided some background on where the Coast Tsimshian would like to see the discussion go from here.

The ad as it appeared in the paper is shown above, the text of the advertisement is provided below.

COAST TSIMSHIAN TRIBAL SOCIETY
JOINT INITIATIVE

MESSAGE FROM THE COAST TSIMSHIAN FIRST NATIONS:
YOUR NEIGHBOURING COMMUNITIES OF
LAX KW’ALAAMS AND METLAKATLA

For thousands of years prior to contact the Prince Rupert harbour was an area of bustling population, commerce, and culture. It was home to members of the Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams First Nations (commonly know as the Coast Tsimshian peoples).

In an effort to revitalize the regional economy the Prince Rupert Port Authority and the Federal Government are in the process of developing a container port in that area.

The Port is being constructed on unceded lands and over an ancient village site:

The Coast Tsimshian believe that the Port Development provides an opportunity to create a healthy economy for all residents in Prince Rupert and the surrounding region. All that we are asking is to share in the benefits from our lands and to become an active partner in developing a healthy regional economy.

In light of this our people cannot allow Phase I of the port development to commence operations until our interests have been addressed.

The Supreme Court of Canada has clearly stated that the Federal Government has a duty to consult and accommodate the aboriginal rights and title interests of the Coast Tsimshian. In a recent court ruling on the expansion of the Prince Rupert Port, Judge J. Finkenstien stated:

“I fail to see how the court can find the consultation and the accommodation offered to be reasonable where the process started out on such a misconception and minimization of the Coast Tsimshian’s claim.”

We are calling on the Federal Government to meet its obligations with respect to our First Nation communities.

We are pleased, as well, with the support give to us by other Coastal First Nation communities including the Council of the Haida Nation, the Gitga’at, Heiltsuk, Homalco, Haisla, Kitasso/Xaixais, Skidegate, Wuikinuxv, and Old Massett, who have resolved to stand with us.

On behalf of our respective first Nations:

Chief Councillor Garry Reece
Lax Kw’alaams

Chief Councillor Harold Leighton
Metlakatla Band