The pair of B.C. First Nations say they are done with Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) controlling aquaculture and fisheries in their traditional waters and intend to assert local control.
The GwaB次元官网网址檚ala-B次元官网网址楴akwaxdaB次元官网网址檟w First Nations (GNN) B次元官网网址� currently based in the Port Hardy area of northern Vancouver Island B次元官网网址� have announced the pending creation a Memorandum Of Understanding to assert control over fisheries in their traditional territories.
At a March 25 ceremony at Port HardyB次元官网网址檚 Seagate wharf, GNNB次元官网网址檚 former elected chief Paddy Walkus said what has been happening historically to the nations in their own lands thanks to federal fisheries policies is not right.
B次元官网网址淲e now have to take a stand, we now have to express something that is so vital to the existence of our people and our own land and territoriesB次元官网网址� we need to take back the control, take back what was rightfully ours, because at no time did we give any kind of OK to anyone to do the management or caretaking of our resources, in particular the fisheries resource.
B次元官网网址淲e all know what has happened recently, the decimation of all species of fish in all of our watersB次元官网网址� the harm that has happened through the mismanagement of DFO.B次元官网网址�
Walkus asserted the nations will now be instating their traditional laws, stating they are going to B次元官网网址渢ake over that part of legislation that has oppressed us for too long.B次元官网网址�
He confirmed that this means they will control the licensing of the finfish industry within all of their traditional territories.
GNN councillor Darryl Coon said it is time for GNNB次元官网网址檚 chief and council to take the B次元官网网址渕onumental step to take back whatB次元官网网址檚 rightfully ours, the waters of the GwaB次元官网网址檚ala-B次元官网网址楴akwaxdaB次元官网网址檟w territories.
B次元官网网址淔or far too long we have allowed DFO to do what theyB次元官网网址檝e done, the lies, the deceits, everything above and below it, DFO has done this for years and years and years and todayB次元官网网址檚 the day we are going to take it back.B次元官网网址�
CoonB次元官网网址檚 voice broke as he talked about how they are doing this for the future generations of GNN youth.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 for these guys that we stand up today and fight back for whatB次元官网网址檚 rightfully oursB次元官网网址� for all the children of the GwaB次元官网网址檚ala-B次元官网网址楴akwaxdaB次元官网网址檟w nations.B次元官网网址�
GNN Band Manager Leslie Walkus said the Memorandum Of Understanding is being supported by neighbouring coastal First Nations. He said the Memorandum of Understanding will be built upon all the salmon research the nations have done over the years.
B次元官网网址淲e are putting DFO on notice that theyB次元官网网址檙e not going to come to the North Island and make decisions about important jobs and about the territory that belong to these chiefs,B次元官网网址� said Leslie. B次元官网网址淲e are going to take this on ourselves, because we are capable of doing it ourselves.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淯nder the guidance of our hereditary leadership, our elders and our matriarchs, we are taking the step of building a legislative framework,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎s our first step, we are looking at aquaculture.B次元官网网址�
Port Hardy mayor Dennis Dugas said the North IslandB次元官网网址檚 economic future will prosper with everyone working together.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a partnership. WeB次元官网网址檙e all in this together. ItB次元官网网址檚 about us all working together. As we grow together, I know that we can prosper together.B次元官网网址�
Black Press Media has reached out to DFO for comment from DFO and will update this story when they respond.
editor@northislandgazette.com
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