Tag Archives: Gov of BC

Indigenous Nations History

Hul’qumi’num First Nations & the “Great Land Grab”

Originally published on Ramshackle Pictures (2014)

Robert Morales represents the six Hul’qumi’num First Nations (Cowichan, Chemainus, Penelakut, Lyackson, Halalt, Lake Cowichan), whose territories span the southeastern coast of Vancouver Island. These lands were almost entirely sold off by the Federal government in 1887 to coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, in order to finance the construction of the E&N Railroad from Nanaimo to Victoria, which enabled BC and Vancouver Island to join confederation and become part of Canada.

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Health

BC Outlines Plan to Begin Lifting COVID-19 Restrictions

By Moira Wyton, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

British Columbia’s indoor mask mandate and vaccine card will remain in place as the province begins to ease pandemic public health orders on  Thursday and transition to a strategy focused on personal risk  management.

The Omicron variant, which  took hold amid loosened public health measures and drove the province’s  fifth wave of COVID-19, is waning enough to look at a less “restrictive”  means of pandemic management, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie  Henry said Tuesday.

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Indigenous Nations, Industry

New report recommends that BC First Nations gain control of mining in Indigenous territory

By Jacob Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – In an effort to proactively reclaim sovereignty over their territories in British Columbia, the BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC) released a new report — supported by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations — demanding the right to exercise sovereignty and consent in relation to mining activities in the province. 

 The Indigenous Sovereignty: Implementing Consent for Mining on Indigenous Lands report sets out 25 recommendations which, if implemented, would compel mining companies and prospectors to secure the approval of First Nation governments in order to obtain consent-based access to First Nations’ lands.

 They would further be required to agree and abide by conditions set by those First Nations governments.

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Communications

Wireless network expanding along B.C.’s Highway 4

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The critical highway between Port Alberni and Tofino currently has limited cellular service, leaving travelers and commuters without any way of contacting family, friends or emergency services in the event of an accident.

That’s about to change, as Rogers announced it will be expanding its coverage along the 85-kilometre stretch of highway by building six new cellular towers, and upgrading two existing towers between the coastal communities. 

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Forests

Interview with Bruce Ellingsen p1: What is a sustainable rate of consumption for forestry?

In respect to British Columbia’s old growth trees, “Most of what is left is in the difficult-to-access areas and the not so productive sites. Most of the best and easy to get is gone” – Bruce Ellingsen, one of the founders of the Cortes Community Forest Co-operative. 

In the first of two articles about current forestry practices, Ellingsen looks to dynamics in nature for indicators toward a more sustainable harvesting rate.

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