Saturna Island IR7

The scale and intensity of this clear-cut operation on IR7 on Saturna Island, British Columbia, is pretty shocking (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGGzJHBdnZo ).  IR7 is reserve land jointly held by the Tsawout First Nation and the Tseycum First Nation. BC talks a lot about sustainable forestry operations – but forestry practices that alter landscapes for multiple generations are still part of the status quo. 

Residents of Saturna Island are very mindful that decisions regarding the future of the IR7 lands are the exclusive business of Tsawout and Tseycum First Nation members.  At the same time, given the long-term consequences of clear-cutting, we are hopeful that photographic images of the industrial-scale logging may help to support constructive conversation among all Band members.

Some Tsawout and Tseycum Band members are asking their elected leadership if this is the only way or the best way to steward Band lands. For successive generations, these lands have supported traditional use activities such as hunting and the ability for Band members to exercise their Douglas treaty rights.   Suddenly, with clear-cutting, that has changed.

As bystander witnesses to our neighbours’ land use deliberations, we need to remember that this land is theirs.  As co-residents in the Salish Sea Region, we may wish to provide encouragement for sustainable resource management, with the understanding that the ultimate land use decisions are not ours to make.

Band members who have asked their elected Council to suspend clear-cutting so that sustainable alternatives can be discussed for the remaining forest have been threatened with legal action.  A GoFundMe campaign to support Band members’ legal defence has been established.  This is an opportunity for you to support Band members who are questioning the clear-cut and who want to explore sustainable alternatives.

If you have a more general interest in encouraging sustainable resource management in the Salish Sea region, while also demonstrating respect for the jurisdiction and economic development activity of First Nations people on their lands, you may want to seek input from MLA Adam Olsen. As the elected provincial representative for residents of Tsawout reserve lands, Tseycum reserve lands and Saturna Island, MLA Olsen is well-positioned to provide guidance, on this complex subject.

Supporting A Sustainable Salish Sea


UPDATE March 27, 2019

Go Fund Me Donors - 

Thank you for your rapid and generous response to this campaign for legal defence funds.  Your generosity has energized Band members who are seeking sustainable land use outcomes for their jointly held lands.

Next step for the Fund is to start withdrawal of funds to commence payment of the retainer negotiated with legal counsel.  This will begin today and continue until the retainer is paid in full and subsequent bills are paid.  Your donation will be credited to a dedicated bank account and I will be personally managing the use of those funds to pay legal retainers and bills.

The first priority of legal counsel will be to support Band members in examining the injunction against their respectful opposition to clear-cut logging and to respond to the injunction as advised.  

Follow-up actions would include the assessment of damage to cultural and heritage features and the evaluation of potential options for remediation.  

Thorough legal work will create a strong foundation that all Band members will be able to draw upon.  To support the creation of a lasting foundation, the Go Fund Me campaign goal is being increased from $15,000 to $25,000.

Thank you again for your generous support!

UPDATE May 5, 2019

Thank you for your generous contribution to the GoFundMe legal defence campaign.  Your support has been key in facilitating an acknowledgement by elected leaders of the Defendants’ concerns.  Dialogue between the Defendants and elected leaders has enabled reaching an agreement that includes the following provisions: 

o    further logging on IR7 has been suspended;

o    already-felled lumber can be and is being removed for commercial sale; and 

o    If Chief and Council of the Tsawout First Nation intend to recommence logging activities, then the Defendants will receive ample advance notice of such recommencement and will be able to take corresponding actions as they may deem fit.

The suspension of clear-cut logging activities on IR7 creates a meaningful opportunity for interested Band members to consider and discuss different options for the sustainable stewardship of their IR7 lands.   Options consistent with traditional First Nations practices and the exercise of Aboriginal rights, as well as for supporting socio-economic goals, may now be deliberated in a more inclusive manner. 

Thank you, again, for your generous support in achieving this very important, preliminary milestone.  

We look forward to providing you with further updates as dialogue evolves.