Salmon farming opponents threaten our future, says First Nation
The Tlowitsis community was scattered when it lost its winter residence in the 1960s. Now NGOs are undermining efforts to build a new home, claims a chief
Activists opposed to salmon farming in British Columbia, Canada, are threatening a First Nation’s ability to rebuild its displaced community displaced, a chief has said.
Chief John Smith of the Tlowitsis Nation made the claim in a call for NGOs and “outside Nations” to cease interference in Tlowitsis affairs.
Tlowitsis traditional territories span the coastal area of northern Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait and adjacent mainland inlets, and the Nation has a partnership with salmon farmer Grieg Seafood BC, which is in the process of becoming part of Cermaq.
Until the 1960s, Tlowitsis members occupied numerous sites throughout the Nation’s lands, but in the 1960s the Nation lost access to its primary winter residence, Kalagwees, located on Turnour Island. The Nation says this led to its people being culturally and physically separated from their traditional territories.
'A place to come home to'
In 2018, the Tlowitsis purchased a 635-acre property just south of Campbell River, to establish a new home community known as Nenagwas, or “a place to come home to” in English. The future establishment of Nenagwas is being threatened by opposition to salmon farming and forestry in Tlowitsis territory by individuals and groups “who hold no legal authority in our Territory, publishing misinformation, and disregarding Indigenous governance laws and protocols”, said Smith.
Writing on behalf of the Tlowitsis Nation, Smith said: “This unlawful interference does not only harm our ability to build sustainable economic development – it threatens our collective future.
Relying primarily on our industry partnerships, we generated the revenue to purchase land and rebuild our community from the ground up. Unfortunately, progress has been disrupted by outsider interference
“The ongoing construction of our new community, Nenagwas, is a critical milestone for our Nation that restores a sense of home, connection, and stability for our People. Past federal policies displaced our community, forcing our People off Turnour Island and leaving us without reserve lands to reside on for decades.
“Relying primarily on our industry partnerships, we generated the revenue to purchase land and rebuild our community from the ground up. Unfortunately, progress has been disrupted by outsider interference, which is directly impacting the revenue streams that fund this development. This disruption not only threatens the viability of our community construction, but also the employment and livelihood of our People.”
Sustainable management
Smith wrote that the Tlowitsis are committed to managing their lands, resources, and waters sustainably and responsibly.
“Our forestry and salmon aquacultural partnerships are vital to our economic independence and community development. We will continue to assert and protect our rights, and we will not hesitate to take all necessary actions to defend our land, resources, and People from any external interference.
“We call on all outside Nations and activist groups to immediately cease interference in our affairs, as we continue to move forward in building a prosperous and sustainable future for our People. We are the rightful stewards of our Territory. Our decisions reflect the will and welfare of our People. We expect – and demand – that this be respected,” concluded Smith.
