[IPSM] MEDIA ADVISORY: Protest in Wasi'las (Holden Creek)]

[Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movment - Montreal]

For: Tsawataineuk First Nation
Contact: Eric Joseph, Chairman, Tsawataineuk First Nation
Primary Phone: 250-974-3013
Secondary Phone: 250-974-4224
E-mail: ericjoe at kingcome.net

Date issued: February 12, 2005, 00:35 e
Attention: Assignment Editor, Business/Financial Editor, Environment
Editor, News Editor, Photo Editor

MEDIA ADVISORY: Protest in Wasi'las (Holden Creek)
TSAWATAINEUK FIRST NATION DEMONSTRATE IN SACRED WATERSHED

Kingcome Inlet, Feb.12 /PR Direct/ - The Tsawatineuk will be protesting at
Wasi'las (Holden Creek) on Monday, February 14.
Time:  10:00 AM (PST)

Musgamgw First Nation members are holding a demonstration in Holden Creek,
a watershed that is in their asserted territory and has historical and
spiritual significance for their people.  The elders are accompanied by
Tsawataineuk youth.  Elder Helen Willie stated, "Our name for Holden Creek
is Wasi'las.  Our relationship to this watershed goes back to our origin
story which was part of the opening of the Last Commonwealth Games in
Victoria.  It is a sacred place where two Wolf brothers, Kawadkila &
Kwalili, our founding ancestors, reunited."

International Forest Products began falling trees in the Kingcome Timber
Supply Area, specifically Wasi'las in December 2004 under a road permit
issued by the BC Ministry of Forests.  Interfor intends to apply to the
Ministry of Forests for cutting permits to commence harvesting in early
spring.  Preliminary archaeological assessments of the watershed have
uncovered numerous artifacts, culturally-modified trees and a village site
estimated to be 5,000 to 7,000 years old.

The Tsawataineuk (Musgamagw) are seeking a legal designation of Wasi'las
as a protected area under the Provincial Central Coast Land and Resource
Management Plan.  In the meantime, however, destructive road building
continues to compromise the sanctity of the watershed.  Old-growth cedar
groves are at the heart of the valley.  For Helen Willie, the protection
of old-growth cedar is an important part of her decision to participate in
the demonstration, "Our traditional relationship to the land is central to
our culture and we must stand up for the preservation of our resources and
the maintenance of our connection to our lands and our history."

"We also are giving notice to the BC Government and industry that we are
frustrated with infringements that impact our resources such as fish-farms
and other areas where lack of meaningful consultation and adequate
resources are in place to protect and enhance our land and resources. 
What has been proposed for accommodations are not worth talking about. 
This is what our members believe" concluded Eric Joseph, Chairman of the
Tsawataineuk.

The Tsawataineuk will provide further notices of other demonstrations
later this month.
- END RELEASE -  12/02/2005



-- 
the INDIGENOUS PEOPLES SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT is a Montreal based collective
whose primary goal is to ally ourselves with indigenous peoples in the
active fight for mutual self-determination and decolonization

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