DFO shuts down herring row fishery, citing First Nations reconciliation

A Tlingit in Alaska gathering Herring roe,.

by Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun, March 3, 2018

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has agreed to cancel this year’s commercial roe herring fishery on B.C.’s central coast, citing the federal government’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations.

‘We’re the ones that have to live here’: Heiltsuk still feel impact of fuel spill

The Nathan E Stewart tug boat as it sinks in October, 2016.

1 year after Nathan E. Stewart sank off Bella Bella, First Nation says clam beds still contaminated

By Bethany Lindsay, CBC News, October 13, 2017

A year after a sinking tug spilled thousands of litres of fuel into the waters off Bella Bella, B.C., members of the Heiltsuk First Nation say their valuable clam beds are still contaminated.

Heiltsuk First Nation village among oldest in North America: Archeologists

Triquet Island at low tide. Photo: North Sound Sea Kayaking Association.

by Randy Shore, Vancouver Sun, March 28, 2017

A Heiltsuk village site on B.C.’s mid-coast is three times as old as the Great Pyramid at Giza and among the oldest human settlements in North America, according to researchers at the Hakai Institute.

The excavation on Triquet Island has already produced extremely rare artifacts, including a wooden projectile-launching device called an atlatl, compound fish hooks and a hand drill used for lighting fires, said Alisha Gauvreau, a PhD student at the University of Victoria. 

Tug sinks near Bella Bella spilling up to 200,000 litres of diesel

by Simon Little, CKNW News, October 13, 2016

An American tug pushing an empty fuel barge has sunk after running aground near Bella Bella.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says the tug Nathan E. Stewart hit ground on Edge Reef near Athlone Island just after 1 am this morning.

Heiltsuk elected Chief Marilyn Slett says the tug sank completely just before 10 am, and that the Nation’s most recent estimate is that it has spilled more than 200,000 litres of fuel.

Northwest B.C. Aboriginal Nations Decry “Deeply Flawed” LNG Assessment Process

Indigenous leaders gather on Lelu island where the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation has set up camp to protest the construction of the Petronas LNG terminal. Photograph: SkeenaWatershed Coalition

“Our disappointment is profound”

Market Wired, September 1, 2016

TERRACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – Sept. 1, 2016) – Northwest Aboriginal nations have emerged from two days of meetings with the federal government demanding that its “deeply flawed” environmental assessment of a massive LNG proposal be delayed, in light of unfair and incomplete consultation with affected First Nations.

Video: Keepers of the Coast -Trailer

by Aaron Heidt, Vimeo, June 2016

Keepers of the Coast takes a close look at how the Kitasoo/Xai’Xais, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, and Wuikinuxv Nations are stewarding our marine territories.

First Nation’s clay kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria in lab tests

Shovel of clay from Kisameet Bay, B.C. (Kisameet Glacial Clay Inc.)

Further study required before hospital use feasible

CBC News, Jan 26, 2016

Clay from Kisameet Bay, B.C., used by B.C. First Nations for centuries for its healing properties could be a new weapon in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, says new research from the University of British Columbia.

The research, published today in the American Society for Microbiology’s mBio journal, recommends the rare mineral clay be studied as a treatment for serious infections caused by the so-called ESKAPE pathogens — a who’s-who of bugs that cause the majority of U.S. hospital infections and “escape” the effects of antibacterial drugs.

Bella Bella herring fishery to re-open with much smaller catch

Agreement comes after First Nation’s occupation of DFO offices in March 2015

By Radio West, CBC News,  Jan 19, 2016

Less than a year after members of the Heiltsuk First Nation occupied federal fisheries offices in Bella Bella, the two parties have reached an agreement over the Pacific herring fishery.

Last March the Department of Fisheries and Oceans opened up the herring roe fishery in the Spiller Channel, which the Heiltsuk Tribal Council said should have remained closed to preserve herring stocks.

Heiltsuk and Haida nations finalize peace treaty

A Grizzly Bear dancer performs during Potlach in Bella Bella marking Haida and Heiltsuk peace treaty. Photo by serenahavana via Instragram.

By Ryan Erwin, Global News, June 30, 2015

The Heiltsuk and Haida nations will finalize a historic peace treaty at a potlatch in Bella Bella today.

Both nations have worked closely together over the last number of years opposing the Northern Gateway pipeline and, most recently, to oppose commercial herring fishing in Heiltsuk waters.

Video: How The Heiltsuk Won- #occupyDFO

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Enr3Yue42ig“>

Posted by Nicky Young to Youtube