Heiltsuk tears and anger were cast at Department of Fisheries and Oceans officers standing on the front steps of the federal office on Denny Island Sunday afternoon, as band Elders, leaders, women and youth pleaded for the controversial herring fishery not to resume on the central B.C. coast.
Within hours, more than a dozen band members also occupied the DFO office, promising to remain there until the herring fishery is closed. By Sunday night, elected chief councillor Marilyn Slett also locked herself inside the DFO office.
“We all rely on the water, we all rely on our Heiltsuk territory,” sobbed a Heiltsuk 12-year-old girl. “But we just say we want this to stop,” she said, removing tears.
Earlier in the day, Saul Brown, 22, had yelled scorn at the two armed DFO officers, before removing a Heiltsuk ceremonial paddle and shield off the federal office’s wall.
“It’s not just a relic that you hold up for art!” he told the officers, before a