Nuxalk Nation Government
P.O. Box 8, Bella Coola, B.C. V0T 1CO
Telephone: (604) 799-5376; Fax: (604) 799-5707
Message from the
Hereditary Chiefs of the Nuxalt Nation
Nuximlayc, Quatsinas, Slicxwliqw, Liciw'lmutusayc
Gambling Clayoquot's Fate!
On December 10th, 1993; the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council some how
talked their Hereditary Chiefs into signing a 1.25 million dollar
agreement with the B.C. Government. This allows MacBlo to continue
logging in Clayoquot Sound. This understandable yet heart
wrenching to see the fight - to protect this rainforest - dwindle.
It seems the unestablished government is being successful at
pacifying the voice of the "Indian." Especially in an area that
has gained International Respect and Recognition.
In this agreement they've decided that they want to use
"Sustainable" logging practises!! This term is so general that it
leaves it vulnerable to change. It seems to us, that any
development for financial economic gain is both self-destructing
and suicidal.
This Harcourt government is in a major Conflict of Interest!! Not
only because they have jumped into bed with and secured 50 million
dollars worth of shares with MacBlo, but also because of the
interim-agreement with the Nuu-chah-nulth People. This agreement,
we see, is more to protect their regimes of own self-interest in
Clayoquot Sound.
This leaves the dedicated environmentalists in such a delicate
position to protect this special wilderness. We give them all our
support and confidence to win, in this battle against the Eco-
Industrial Movement.
Now, the Nuu-chal-nulth realize they didn't didn't get all they
wanted through this agreement. What they wanted was to take part
in the management of Clayoquot Sound logging. The agreement only
stated that they would provide management for the area. Now they
are only an Advisory committee to this process!!
There will be an international movement to get the Province to shed
a little light on all the good they are doing for the "Indian."
Telling people around the world they have now resolved the issue in
Clayoquot Sound and that they plan to proceed with logging plans.
Can everyone not see what this struggle is about? It is about
protecting our Ancient and Sacred Forests!! It is about survival!!
Can everyone not see that the land is going to provide for all we
need to survive in the future? If so then let's look at Clayoquot
Sound with a different perspective. A positive view that the land
will provide all of our children with the nourishment of water,
air, wildlife, vegetation and all we need. This is all we need and
nothing more!!
Then why? Why should we trade this off for financial power??
NO WAY!! THIS IS OUR MESSAGE.
Hereditary Chief Lawrence Pootlass; Nuximlayc,
Hereditary Chief Edward Moody; Qwatsinas,
Hereditary Chief Charlie Nelson; Slicxwliqw,
Hereditary Chief Taylor King; Liciw'lmutusayc.