By Roy L Hales
The battle to save the Peace River Valley is not over. First Nations and local farmers are continuing the fight in court. Though Premier Clark’s government intends to destroy the existing ecosystem to “the point of no return,” in the weeks to come the Canadian government decides whether to issue new Site C permits.
Continue reading Government Decides Whether To Issue New Site C PermitsBy Roy L Hales
Chief Roland Willson, of West Moberly First Nation, said his people celebrated the 100th anniversary of Treaty #8 in 2014. One of the provisions is that they will be allowed to use the land about to be submerged by the Site C Dam “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows.” This appears to be the Treaty Canada wants to forget.
Continue reading The Treaty Canada Wants To ForgetBy Roy L Hales
Local First Nations set up Rocky Mountain Fort Camp before Christmas. There were six to eight members of the newly formed Treaty 8 Stewards of the Land sleeping there last night. Spokesperson Art Napoleon said First Nations originally talked about taking a stand near the site of the proposed Site C Dam, but B.C. Hydro’s work crews moved too fast. The once pristine forest that stood there has been destroyed. So First Nations decided to block this most recent perceived violation of Treaty 8 by setting up Rocky Mountain Fort Camp. BC Hydro employees have already scouted the camp. They could be preparing to seek an injunction, but this will not make the First Nations move. Treaty 8 Stewards of the Land are prepared to be arrested.
Continue reading Treaty 8 Stewards Of The Land Are Prepared To Be ArrestedBy Roy L Hales
It has been eight days since the RCMP gunned down a demonstrator in Dawson Creek. According to the Independent Investigations Office, he “approached officers in an aggressive manner and when he did not comply with directions and commands, he was shot.” It is the latest in a series of actions, which appear to have began with the BC government’s decision to break Treaty #8. Though this aspect of the project is not often talked about, the terms of the treaty seem clear. First Nations were to have use of the lands about to be submerged as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows. So how is proceeding with Site C not breaking a treaty?
Continue reading How Is Proceeding With Site C Not Breaking A Treaty?By Roy L. Hales
Though construction on British Columbia’s W.A.C. Bennet dam began 54 years ago, fish are still so contaminated with mercury they are unfit for human consumption. Chief Roland Willson, of West Moberly First Nation, said BC started issuing health advisories after the dam was built. On May 11, 2015, he brought 200 pounds of contaminated bull trout to the legislature lawn for a press conference calling on the B.C. government to reverse its decision to approve the controversial $9 billion Site C dam. Willson said poisoning fish is a violation of Treaty #8.
Continue reading Mercury Contamination Stiffens Opposition to Site C Dam
