By Roy L Hales
Chief Don Tom, of Tsartlip First Nations issued a Stop Work Order for the construction on Grace Islet. A segment of screen fencing, below the high water mark, was removed so that he could land on the First Nations burial islet. The group accompanying him waited for two RCMP constables, who were given a copy of the order. Chief Tom also fastened a copy to the fence above the high water mark.
Continue reading A Stop Work Order for the Construction on Grace IsletSome might call it trespassing. Others will ask who was trespassing? The 38 people who landed on Grace Islet today? The government that sold a First Nations burial ground without consulting with the previous owners? Or Barry Slawsky, the Alberta businessman who purchased this islet and, fully aware that it is a burial islet, is now erecting a house there?
Continue reading Some Might Call it TrespassingBy Roy L Hales
Grace Islet is a recognized First Nations burial site, on Salt Spring Island, which Alberta businessman Barry Slawsky purchased in 1990. He was recently given the go-ahead to build his holiday home, providing he puts it on stilts that go over the burial cairns. This prompted a series of protests by First Nations and Salt Spring Island residents. The most recent development in this ongoing controversy was a proposal that the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) expropriate the islet, possibly turning it into a burial park. A decision was reached last night, CRD Will Not Expropriate Grace Islet.
Continue reading CRD Will Not Expropriate Grace IsletGrace Islet is a recognized First Nations burial site which was zoned residential and someone is building a house there. This would not be allowed if this were a European burial ground, but older First Nations sites are treated differently in BC. The Provincial Minister responsible will not intervene because the owners permits are in order. Representatives of the Southern Gulf Islands communities held a Grace Island Purification on August 11, 2014.
Continue reading Grace Island PurificationBy Roy L Hales
Around thirty people landed on Grace Islet Tuesday. Regardless of whether they went above the high water mark and were legally “trespassing”or not, the Grace Islet landing reminiscent of Gandhi’s civil disobedience campaigns.
Continue reading Grace Islet Landing
