Indigenous Rights Include Choosing to Grow Atlantic Salmon in Traditional Territory

The unique nature of B.C. aquaculture, I learned, was the Indigenous leadership behind it. This does not preclude arguments from Indigenous chiefs and leaders who oppose the industry in their waters. I never heard an Indigenous chief or leader say publicly another nation is wrong to oppose fish farms.

Mowachaht/Muchalaht Title Declared to B.C. Court

 Notice of Claim

"The. . . First Nation has Aboriginal title to its lands and that B.C.'s Forest Act and Land Act will no longer apply to Mowachaht/Muchalaht lands once title is declared." Vancouver Island First Nation whose ancestors met explorer Capt. Cook in 1776, only to see the disappearance of land, resources, and sovereignty, sues province of British Columbia

Theatre One Presents: Maker of Monsters

I attended the Theatre One presentation of Maker of Monsters: The Extraordinary Life of Beau Dick, a film screening at the Avalon Cinema in North Nanaimo, Jul 9, 2018.

I was fortunate to befriend Beau Dick and it was a long-standing friendship. I had several periods of exposure to Beau and his methods of working in culture, the maintenance of Indigenous national power was coming from the very core of his being, it seemed to me.

He talked about the Homatsa society from time to time. It was a recurring topic of discussion and he was adamant about the importance Homatsa warriors had in the Potlatch culture of governance. Homatsa warriors were high on the totem pole in terms of contribution to international relations. It always seemed to me Beau was a liberal minded free trader, which, I think, is something he believed about Potlatch.

I enjoyed the movie at the Avalon Theatre in Nanaimo. I felt at home with the man on the screen while he was alive, I loved Beau like a brother. I felt as if I received one last chance to spend an evening in his illustrious company. I think the movie did him justice.

Beau met with Royals of the British Monarchy, Prime Ministers, world leaders, and hosted the most eclectic gathering in Alert Bay you could ever imagine. One period of winter back in 2009 he invited me to stay in his home, and again in 2011. I learned then Beau Dick loved to watch movies. I'm glad to see he is recalled so vividly in film.

Staying Ahead of the Curve on Oil Spills

Prince Rupert, B.C., is home to the new Eagle Bay OSRV (Oil-Spill Recovery Vessel) launched late 2008 by Burrard Clean Operations (BCO) to prepare for on-coming new industrial developments in Prince Rupert and Kitimat. "We want to be an insurance policy for the environment," said Kevin Gardner, BCO President. "We don't want to be out there because it means something has spilled, so it's one of those pieces of machinery that you hope you never have to use."
     

The new environmental management vehicle will range anywhere on the coast, "basically from Shearwater all the way to Prince Rupert," a large area of operation, said Gardner, including Haida Gwaii. The Eagle Bay is a 15.54 m (51') aluminum monohull skimmer with a recovery capacity of 32.8 tonnes per hour. It has Hiab Seacrane, two Cana-flex sweep booms, and two LAMOR HK2-2.54 Brush skimmers for drawing oil and flotsam from the seas. She will run 21 knots on the Caterpillar C12 main engine.
     

Gardner said the vessel made the voyage from Klemtu to Prince Rupert in 6.5 hours, a very respectable speed. "The Eagle Bay has a higher speed, better skimming capabilities most skimmers, and more comforts for the crew so they can be out on the water for longer periods of time. But this if this boat never touches a drop of oil, that is a good thing," said Craig Dougans, Manager of Response and Operational Standards for BCO.
     

The purpose of the Eagle Bay is "to stay ahead of the curve. It was built because of the increased pace of economic development in the north, in particular Kitimat and Prince Rupert. BCO has plans for more environmental oil-spill response equipment to be deployed in the north." He added, "The sinking of the Queen of the North was the impetus for action. Sometimes it takes a disaster to happen and then people have to find the positives."
     

The new skimmer was a $1.3 million expense to BCO and will operate in the Pacific Coast with 12 other similar emergency-oriented vessels, including one in Alaska that is a sister ship to the Eagle Bay.