Elders Fight to Protect Land and Culture

by Maggie Paquet

The Stikine watershed in BC’s northwest region is Tahltan Country. It encompasses some of the most incredible wilderness landscapes and wildlife populations on Earth. Those who have lived there for countless generations developed a culture, language, and way of life that have endured and sustained them, and which have equal potential to continue sustainingthem. This is their primary concern and the basis for the blockade and sit-in that are happening now in two different parts of the region. 

Band Office 

On January 17, 2005, in response to news that a 160-km industrial road would be built down the lower Stikine and Iskut rivers, 35 Tahltan elders occupied the band office in Telegraph Creek and asserted their right to speak for their people. They were responding to information that the Tahltan Central Council had signed a deal with the province to facilitate mining, logging, and hydroelectricity projects in exchange for $250,000/year for the Council. For many, it was the first time they’d received official information about so many industrial projects. They clearly stated their principal concern: “Our land, resources, and rights are being sold out from under us…We will stand strong to protect the land for future generations.” 

They demanded the resignation of elected chief Jerry Asp, saying “He has done enough harm to our people and puts us in danger of losing everything.” They accuse him of abusing his elected position in order to promote his own businesses. They demand that the Tahltan Central Council reconsider the agreement with BC, which they fear will fasttrack numerous major projects in the region. These include Nova Gold’s Galore Creek copper/gold mine in the lower Stikine; bcMetals’ Red Chris gold/silver mine adjacent to the Todagin Stone’s Sheep Wilderness Management Area; Fortune Minerals’ Mount Klappan open-pit coal mine at the headwaters area of the Stikine, Spatsizi, Nass, and Skeena rivers; Shell Canada’s Klappan Coalbed Methane project; and Coast Mountain Power’s Forest-Kerr Hydroelectricity Dam.

Such a strong demonstration is very rare for Tahltans. Shortly after, world-renowned Tahltan/Tlingit Master Carver Dempsey Bob returned home to lend his support to the elders’ peaceful sit-in. “We have to protect our animals and fish,” he stated. “If we lose our animals, it will be forever. We can’t eat oil, gas, and minerals.” 

On February 25, Tahltan Elders announced a moratorium that prohibits any resource development on Tahltan lands until more representative and accountable leadership and governance is achieved. 

On March 1, at a meeting in Telegraph Creek, Tahltan Elders delivered the moratorium to representatives of Shell Canada. The next day, in support of the moratorium, the Iskut First Nation, along with its Hereditary Elders Council, chief, and band council dressed in traditional regalia and formally requested Shell Canada to leave Iskut territory. 

Klappan 

On July 16, Iskut and Telegraph Creek elders and youth put up a blockade near the junction of Hwy 37 and Ealue Lake Road to stop access to the Klappan area by Fortune Minerals, which plans to develop a coal mine with four open pits on Tahltan traditional territory in the headwaters of the Stikine, Nass, Skeena, and Spatsizi rivers, and to dam the Little Klappan River. Fortune responded by saying they believe only a small “dissident” group of Tahltans is causing problems, and will not honour the moratorium or discuss the issue with anyone other than elected officials of the Council. 

On August 22, Haida leader Guujaaw visited the blockade to give a show of support for Tahltans and share stories of recent Haida blockades. 

On September 2, the BC Supreme Court granted an injunction ordering Tahltans to cease their blockade. Garry Merckel, president of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (which stands to gain a $1.5 million contract), and Curtis Rattray, chair of the Tahltan Central Council (which also stands to benefit financially), both signed affidavits in support of Fortune Minerals’ application for the injunction. 

As of September 10th, no one had been arrested. Both the Dease Lake RCMP and Oscar Dennis, Tahltan spokesperson, said they were very aware of the need to proceed in a nonconfrontational manner. 

Analysis 

Government and industry find it expedient to deal with the Tahltan Central Council, a political body that many Tahltans feel no longer represents them or respects traditional political processes. The Iskut First Nation feels so strongly about this, it has withdrawn from the Council. So the BC government is dealing with those who are most likely to let industry have its way, as opposed to a body that is more representative of what the majority of Tahltans say they want. The people who continue the sit-in at the Telegraph Creek band office and those who are blockading the mining access road near Iskut have categorically stated that they are not against development in the region. What they want is to see one project at a time go on, thus spreading out the development over time and space in order to have more sustainable use of the land and resources, and more sustainable benefits to their people. 

But mining companies and governments are on a short-term timeframe. It’s not profitable for either of them to do things the way these people want them to, and that’s where you come in. Write, phone, fax, email, or whatever—but let your MLA know that you agree with those Tahltans who want to see a more sustainable future for this magnificent region. 

All this brings to mind that ageold tactic of imperialism: Divide and Conquer! 

The weakening of traditional political and internal social processes resulting from colonialism has destabilised many First Nations. Traditional power structures have largely been supplanted with an external foreign system that is tearing apart aboriginal communities. What’s going on in Tahltan Country these days is a direct result of this destabilisation, which—coupled with the greed of those who seem willing to sacrifice their traditional values to the almighty dollar—continues to enable governments and corporations to toxify (socially and environmentally) a once-pristine environment, displace wildlife, destroy fisheries, divide the people—and cause a mighty clash between traditional and “modern” values. 

Harsh words. It may not be my place to say them. But they are said with the greatest respect. 

Dempsey Quock, a young Tahltan who grew up away but came back to work on the blockade, says he values what he’s learning from the elders. He says he’s learning about the right for Tahltans to determine their own future and practice their ways, and pass them along to future generations. 

“Our rights are human rights. Everyone in the world should have the right to practise their culture and spiritual ways. If we lose Klappan, I will not have the opportunity to learn what was taken from me at a young age. We thank everyone who has come to support us. We pray for your safety and ours.” 

This space cannot hold all the words that need to be told in this story, or to counter the barrage of disinformation in the mainstream media.

To learn more, go to these links: http://tahltan.blogspot.com / 2005/08/re-mla-dennis-mackayscomments- in.html http://www.dogwoodinitiative.o rg/newsstories/newsstory.2005-08- 15.1355323275 Spokespeople in Tahltan country: Rhoda Quock Ph 250-234-3023, or leave a message at 250-234-3138. Oscar Dennis 250-234-3344 or email: odennis@yt.sympatico.ca 

***

 Maggie Paquet is a former Managing Director, Friends of the Stikine Society

[From WS September/October 2005]

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