[IPSM] CBC report: Haida protests escalate

[Robin Taylor]

Haida protests escalate
Last Updated Mar 31 2005 10:24 AM PST
CBC News
http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_haida20050331
QUEEN CHARLOTTE CITY, B.C. – Protesters say they've seized more than $50 million
worth of logs at Weyerhaeuser's operations on the Queen Charlotte Islands.

For the past 10 days, the Council of Haida Nations and others have been
blockading the roads to two of Weyerhaeuser's log-sorting yards.

FROM MARCH 23, 2005: Logging blockades in Queen Charlottes

Spokesperson Gilbert Parnell says protesters haven't moved the logs. But they
have now posted notices saying they've seized the timber.

"There's approximately five bargeloads of logs that have been seized. Those are
located in the water at both areas of action right now as well as on the land,"
he says.

LINK: Haida Nation bulletin

Parnell says the provincial government failed to consult with the Haida over the
sale of Weyerhaeuser timber licences to Brascan. And he also accuses
Weyerhaeuser of breaching its contract with communities on the Charlottes.

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the B.C. government must consult more
meaningfully with First Nations on land-use issues.

FROM NOV. 18, 2004: Governments must consult First Nations, says top court

Parnell says the Council of Haida Nations met with provincial government
officials this week.

The council is asking the province for an interim agreement on land-use issues
until a final plan is developed for the islands.