[IPSM] Massive Haida Blockades Shut Down Weyerhaeuser (please forward) (fwd)

[IPSM]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 14:47:39 -0800
From: David Sone <dsone.ran at gmail.com>
Reply-To: dsone at ran.org
To: dsone at ran.org
Subject: Massive Haida Blockades Shut Down Weyerhaeuser (please forward)

Right now the Haida Nation is blockading Weyerhaeuser logging and
barges across Haida Gwaii, "BC."

After devastating much of their holdings on Haida Gwaii (aka Queen
Charlotte Islands), Weyerhaeuser is trying to cut and run by selling
off their liscence to Brascan without Haida consent. It may not prove
to be so easy.  The Haida intend to stop the sale until their concerns
about logging in environmentally and culturally sensitive areas are
satisfied.

They are looking for volunteers and supporters.  Please spread the
word, read on, check out this website, and do what you can.

A solidarity action is being planned in Toronto.  We can help you
organize an action in your city, or we can help arrange transportation
to Toronto.  We need your help to send a strong message to
Weyerhaeuser that we stand with the Haida in defence of ancient
forests and Native rights.

To get involved contact David at dsone at ran.org.


http://www.haidanation.ca/islands/islands.html


March 22, 2005
To all Islands people,
GWAII SGAANAWAAY SIIGAA IJAA
ISLANDS SPIRIT RISING

WHAT HAS HAPPENED?
Logging and barges have been stopped today. Individuals are standing
together in Queen Charlotte and on the road by East Yakoun, near
Juskatla.

The action is taking place as Weyerhaeuser is poised to sell off the
Tree Farm License to Brascan. The slogans on the road say it all -
Enough is Enough.

Weyerhaeuser and the Ministry of Forests have shown complete disregard
for our communities' needs and wishes. This was shown when the BC
government compromised the Land Use Plan by approving cutting in areas
that the Islands community had designated protected. The Land Use Plan
was designed by all Island communities to ensure a sustainable future
for Haida Gwaii.

The action on the road at both ends of the Island is taking place to
address these serious issues that affect us all. If we don't move
forward together the opportunities for change and a stable economy
will no longer exist for us. These are first steps towards tackling
issues, the forest companies, and the province of BC.

The Islands community is serious about change ? the future is now!

Volunteers are needed to be part of this all-Islands action.

Please contact
Melinda Pick 559-8834 or cblake at haidagwaii.net
to find out what you can do.

Information is also available at

http://www.haidanation.ca/islands/islands.html

Keep checking the web site for updates.



Logging blockades in Queen Charlottes
Last Updated Mar 23 2005 09:07 AM PST
CBC News

PORT CLEMENTS, B.C. - More than 100 residents of the Queen Charlotte
Islands have set up blockades on two logging roads near Port Clements
to protest the lack of consultation with the Haida Nation over
logging.

The protesters say they're upset by the provincial government's
refusal to consult with the Haida over the recent sale of
Weyerhaeuser's tree farm licence in the Queen Charlottes to Brascan.

Haida spokesperson Gilbert Parnell says they want to stop logging in
environmentally sensitive areas.

And he says they want to stop the sale of Weyerhaeuser's operations to
Brascan until those concerns are dealt with.

Last November, the Supreme of Canada ruled last year that the B.C.
government must consult more meaningfully with First Nations on
land-use issues.

Council of the Haida Nations President Guujaaw says the logging
company and the province not just ignoring the Supreme Court ruling,
but also community concerns.
"There is an opportunity now to.create a sustainable economy on this
island, but if it keeps on going the way it is now, we are going to
lose that," he says.

An official with the Ministry of Forests says they are willing to talk
to the Haida, but cannot stop the transfer of logging rights from
Weyerhauser to Brascan.

If the government doesn't budge, Port Clement Mayor Dale Lore says
there is widespread support amongst the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
communities for a complete shutdown of all logging on the islands by
the weekend.

"I've been going to my MLA, Bill Belsey, and saying, 'Please talk to,
please consult with the Haida - if you don't at least talk, you are
defying a Supreme Court order and my town is going to get caught in
the middle.'"

Weyerhaeuser spokesperson Sarah Goodman says it's not the company's
responsibility to consult with the Haida about the timber licence sale
to Brascan.

"The Supreme Court was very clear that businesses such as Weyerhaeuser
do not have a duty to consult and accommodate First Nations," she
says.

"It makes good sense to work with First Nations. They are our
neighbours. And we believe the government has in place many processes
to consult with the Haida and will continue to do so, regardless of
who holds the licence."



http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n03
2315A

Haida blockades roads to protest transfer of Weyerhaeuser timber rights

PORT CLEMENTS, B.C. (CP) - The Haida Nation has set up a number of
blockades around the Queen Charlotte Islands to protest the transfer
of Weyerhaeuser's tree-farm licence to Brascan, complaining they
weren't properly consulted by the B.C. government.

Protesters blocked roads to logging camps, tied up barge traffic and
forced the shut down of the Ministry of Forests office in Queen
Charlotte City, Port Clements Mayor Dale Lore said Wednesday.

The Haida protest is being supported by many non-native residents, said Lore.
"It's pretty well 50-50," he added.

"Every day the government doesn't act, (the protest) will expand.
There's very little left until they've shut everything down here, and
then it will be (off) to Victoria or Ottawa."

But North Coast Liberal MLA Bill Belsey urged the Haida to sit down
and discuss the issues.

"The door is always open and we're always willing to talk," he said.

"There certainly is an obligation on the part of the province to
negotiate these issues. But two people have to be sitting down at a
table."

Haida Nation president Guujaw had earlier asked Gov. Gen. Adrienne
Clarkson to personally intervene in the dispute.

Brascan announced last month that it would acquire private coastal
forest land and Crown timber rights from U.S.-based Weyerhaeuser in a
$1.2-billion deal scheduled to be completed in June.

Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that governments must
seek native input and consider concerns about projects that could
infringe even unproven aboriginal claims.
But the court also ruled that that requirement does not extend to
developers and it does not force governments to obtain the consent of
affected bands.

Changes to forestry regulations have allowed industry greater latitude
in making decisions over their activities.

While the Ministry of Forests was required to approve the transfer of
these same lands between Macmillan Bloedel and Weyerhaeuser, which
resulted in the Haida's Supreme Court challenge, changes to the law
mean the government no longer has to rubber-stamp the transfer to
Brascan.

Guujaw said recently the provincial government has "legal obligations"
to consult the Haida on the transfer of Weyerhaeuser's licence to
Brascan.

"The court has said the government can't hide behind new legislation,"
said Guujaaw, who uses only one name in the Haida tradition. "The
provincial government is the one with the authority (to consult and
accommodate)."