Native Canadians and aquaculture company work well together
Less than a handful of individuals from the approximately 100 coastal, individual First Nations in B.C. have dominated the debate over salmon farming in B.C. in recent years and in a negative fashion, while many more are supporting the jobs and other economic activities that the industry has provided for many coastal communities that have had few other options for economic development. Some of these are also actively participating in research and environmental monitoring of the farms and surrounding area within their territories. And all of the major salmon farming companies operating in B.C. have one or more agreements in place with many of the local First Nations.
In a recent newsletter, Mainstream Canada and members of the Ahousaht First Nation talk about one of these agreements, and what it means to the 80 plus Band members that work for the company near their home town on the west coast of Vancouver Island;
“The partnership between the Ahousaht First Nation and Mainstream Canada is a great example of mutual respect, Vancouver Island politicians heard recently.”
Wally Samuel and Dave Frank, representatives from the Ahousaht First Nation on Vancouver Island's West Coast, spoke about First Nations partnerships at the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance's State of the Island economic summit. They spoke in Nanaimo on Oct. 25. Speaking to a room packed with First Nations, federal, provincial and civic politicians, they explained how the protocol agreement between the Ahousaht and Mainstream Canada has been beneficial to the Flores Island community north of Tofino. "We've had very good results in our people being employed," said Frank, who helped develop the protocol agreement.
The protocol agreement outlines how the band and the fish farming company interact with each other. It has also helped spur entrepreneurship among band members, some who have launched their own contracting businesses. Frank said that overall, it has been rewarding dealing with the company. "We asked for what we needed and they accommodated us," he said. "They are a very progressive company."
Samuel also spoke at the summit and said for years, the Ahousaht people watched big companies come and go, fishing, mining and logging out the region around the band's village with few economic benefits to the Ahousaht. "We didn't realize what they were doing," he said. The bad experiences left the band wary of dealing with private companies, but Frank said the band and Mainstream came to trust each other. "Mainstream Canada is the only organization that I know of that's come forward and respected our traditional authority, our jurisdiction," he said.
The company works with the elected and hereditary chiefs, and they all have a good relationship. "It took a lot of hard work, but they were there," he said. "Mainstream was willing to sit down and talk about it and respect our authority." Samuel said the band is keeping a close eye on the company's activities and makes sure that any impacts from salmon farms in Ahousaht territory are kept to a minimum.
Laurie Jensen, Mainstream Canada's Communications and Corporate Sustainability Manager, said the company has worked hard to meet the band's standards. "We had to perform. We had to walk the talk and do what we were going to say," she said. "It's time, it's perseverance and it's trust. That's our partnership."
The Ahousaht First Nation and Mainstream Canada recently expanded and renewed the protocol agreement in January 2010. Thanks to the agreement, Mainstream Canada employs more than 80 members from the Ahousaht First Nation.
