B.C. First Nations say another occupation possible after fish farm restocking

Protest outside of BC Premier John Horgan’s office in Victoria, BC, October 13, 2017.

by Laurie Hamelin, APTN National News, October 14, 2017

Just days after meeting with B.C. Premier John Horgan and sending a clear message that fish farms are not wanted in the northern part of the province, community members occupying one farm are now say another occupation is possible after watching RCMP in black zodiacs escort a restocking ship travelling to a fish farm near Alert Bay, where the Horgan meeting took place.

NDP’s Horgan won’t commit to abolishing fish farms on trip to northern B.C.

Leaders meet in the Big House on ‘Namgis Territory in northern B.C. with prmier John Horgan and his ministers. Photo: Alexandra Morton

by Laurie Hamelin, APTN National News, October 12, 2017

On a trip to northern B.C., Premier John Horgan met Kwakwakā’wakw Nation leaders to talk about fish farms Tuesday but would not commit to abolishing the open-net cages.

“Any strategy for aquaculture must put a priority on the protection of wild salmon, collaborate with First Nations and acknowledge their interests,” read a statement from Horgan’s office posted online.

Video: The Fight Against Fish Farms

by SubMedia, September 13, 2017

After 30 years of peaceful opposition, indigenous nations of western “Canada” have had enough and have begun occupations of illegal fish farms to disrupt their operations. A call has been made to occupy the offices of the ruling New Democratic Party (NDP) of “British Columbia” to help put an end to the harmful practice of fish farms, that endangers the local salmon populations.

First Nations leaders rally in support of B.C. salmon farm occupation

Chief Willie Moon has occupied salmon farms in the past, and says the Musgamagw Dzawda’enuxw is prepared to do whatever it takes to close fish farms along the coast. (Jon Hernandez/CBC)

Document urging the province to move fish farms inland to be delivered to Premier John Horgan

By Jon Hernandez, CBC News, September 7, 2017

Dozens of Indigenous leaders and protestors rallied outside the Vancouver Convention Centre today urging the province to dismantle salmon farms along the B.C. coast.

The calls came as environmentalists and members of the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw and the Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwamis First Nations occupy two Marine Harvest Canada salmon farms in their territorial waters off the north end of Vancouver Island.

Video: Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw block fish farm packer boat

on September 6, 2017, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw hereditary chiefs, women and supporters took a stand against a Norwegian packing boat.

B.C. First Nations occupy a second salmon farm as company raises safety concerns

Dzawada’enuxw Nation Chief Willie Moon and Hereditary Chief Charlie Williams were among local First Nations leaders on site to support the occupation of the Swanson Island fish farm. Photograph By Swanson Occupation

Marine Harvest says protests are creating unsafe conditions at farms

By Laura Kane, The Canadian Press, September 2, 2017

Members of two British Columbia First Nations say they have occupied a salmon farm on a small island on the province’s coast, the second such protest to be held in the past week.

Chief Willie Moon, also known as Okwilagame, said about 16 members of the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw and the Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwamis arrived at the Wicklow Point salmon farm on Thursday afternoon.

First Nations, environmentalists occupy B.C. salmon farm

‘The time for the very long debate about fish farms has passed,’ says traditional leader Ernest Alfred

By Laura Kane, The Canadian Press, August 30, 2017

A group of First Nations and environmentalists are occupying a salmon farm near Alert Bay, B.C., and say they won’t leave until the provincial and federal governments revoke permits for the facility.

First Nations occupy Marine Harvest fish farm

BC Local News, August 28, 2017

A group of First Nations has peacefully occupied a Marine Harvest salmon farm on Swanson Island, which is located 17 km east of Alert Bay.

On Aug. 25, Hereditary Chief Ernest Alexander Alfred, along with a group of First Nations, occupied the farm. He stated the fish farm is illegally parked in ‘Namgis and Maya’xala Awinakola territory.

Video: Occupation of fish farm by Kwakwaka’wakw

August 25, 2017 Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Hereditary Leadership visited Ernest Alfred at his occupation camp on Marine Harvest owned salmon farm on Swanson Island B.C. after his first night.

B.C. fish farms hit by occupations following release of footage showing sickly, blind salmon

by Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, August 24, 2017

Indigenous leaders are calling on Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc to immediately halt fish farming along British Columbia’s coastal region following the release of video footage showing diseased farmed Atlantic salmon –some blind, others with swollen gills and blisters—swimming through pens thick with fish feces.