The Chiefs and Councils of the Doig River and Blueberry River First Nations met in Vancouver on Friday to discuss their communities’ shared opposition to the proposed Site C Dam.
The two First Nations were formed out of the division of the Fort St. John Beaver Band in 1977, sharing a common history and many kinship ties. Today, that common history is a driving force in their shared opposition to the flooding of the Peace River Valley.
“Our ancestors were the first signatories to Treaty 8 in this province, signing the Treaty with Canada in 1900 on the banks of the Peace River at Old Fort,” Doig River Chief Norman Davis explained in a written statement. “That river is a central part of our history and we strongly oppose its destruction. The river valley contains many culturally important sites, including the burial site of one of our former chiefs, Chief Attachie.”