===== A message from the 'bceniplc' discussion list =====


IPL MTTC Letter to Corky Evans re fish farms

May 17, 2000


Minister Evans
Ministry of Fisheries
Victoria, B.C.


Duncan Williams
BC Assets & Lands
Nanaimo, B. C.


We have received a flyer announcing a public open house Marine Salmon Aquaculture Relocation Sites. We trust that as First Nations who are directly impacted by these disasters that we will be contacted in a much more formal manner prior to your so-called decision making procedure is completed.


In the meantime, the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council once again informs your offices that we vehemently object to fishfarms within our territories. We are not sure how many times and ways that we are expected to object before our concerns are heeded as we rarely receive replies. One would hate to see your definition of "consultation" if we are treated this way.


To remind you, your ministry stated that if First Nations did not want fishfarms in their territories then you would simply not site them in those area. The Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council again, informs your ministries and line agencies, that we do not want fishfarms in our territories. We also direct your government to remove the fishfarms that are in our territories now.


We further inform you that although there is one band member acting as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer for fishfarms, that this one member does not represent the views of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council or its membership.


Our resources and members have too much too lose when the government finally admits that fishfarms are devastating to the environment. There has been no scientific proof that fishfarms are safe, nor are there any meaningful attempts to have such proof secured. Likely, this has been done because there is no such proof that fishfarms are safe for the environment.


The format in which this Public Open House likens to the days when the forestry industry used to pack their Public Open Houses with their employees saying that the industry fed their children..look at the forests now.
Perhaps if the government paid heed to the warning signs, we would have had a sustainable forest industry.


Chief Willie Moon has been appointed to the SAIAC at the BC Aboriginal Fisheries Commission level, unfortunately, your government felt that "progress" could be better served by placing their selected First Nation representatives on this committee instead. This is not good faith or good government.


Again, we state that the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council maintains its "Zero Tolerance" on open-net-cage fish farms within our territories.


Yours truly,


Chief Bill Cranmer
'Namgis First Nation
MTTC Chairman


Chief Willie Moon
Tsawataineuk First Nation
MTTC Vice Chair


Chief Sandy Johnson
Kwicksutaineuk Ahkwa'mis First Nation


Chief Charlie Williams
Gwawaenuk First Nation

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