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Big wins for The First Nations as they make moves to reclaim their territorial land
For years, the First Nations of Canada have been battling with the federal government to reclaim their territorial land to protect the environment and their way of lives that are being threatened by companies exploiting these habitats. Their main concern is the protection of wild salmon.
In a historic ruling in 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada decided the Tsilhqot'in First Nation and therefore all other First Nations in Canada, could have aboriginal title to lands outside the small villages they were living in. Since then, fish farms along British Columbia's West Coast have been at the centre of political and environmental battle and the First Nations have recently turned their protests up a notch to protect their land.
In August, the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw First Nation served a 72-hour eviction notice on a fish farm at the north end of Vancouver Island to remove them from their territory with Willie Moon, the band's hereditary chief saying "This is unconditional... We want them out of our territory."
Later in the same month, four members of the Yaakswiis Warriors, from the Ahousat First Nation, were arrested during a protest on the Dixon Bay fish farm stating "We were protecting our water and our land."
First Nations activists have also launched a campaign around the annual grizzly hunt in the Great Bear Rainforest by posting signs at the Vancouver Airport's South Terminal, warning potential hunters: "Trophy Hunting is Closed in the Great Bear Rainforest. Respect our Traditional Laws."
The protests have been supported by the Coastal First Nations, an alliance of nine First Nations along the Central and North Coasts and Haida Gwaii, in an effort to raise awareness about the controversial practice in an industry that’s seen as disrespectful and damaging.
The First Nations are ready for a long battle ahead but with the 2014 ruling, their title is no longer a wish, it’s now the law. All protesters involved are looking to send a strong message to Ottawa that they don’t want farmed fish on the coast.
There are some solutions to the situation. Biologist, Alexandra Morton has said the federal government could help First Nations get rid of fish farms on their land by buying the farms and then closing them, or the government could work with the industry to talk about what it would need to convert to the type of land-based fish farming.
