The BC First Nations have called for the wild salmon to be protected.
And now they have issued a resolution of solidarity in a bid to have a say in future salomn farmin regulation.
Earlier this year the First Nations representative had been refused entry to a meeting called to discuss the collapse of teh Sockeye salmon fishery.
Now the Union of BC Indian Chiefs have published an open letter to Ministers Gail Shea from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Thomson from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands to show their solidarity over the issue.
Dear Ministers
Re: OPEN LETTER: UBCIC resolution no. 2009-36, BC First Nation’s Statement of Solidarity on Aquaculture
We are writing with respect to Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) resolution no.2009-36, BC First Nation’s Statement of Solidarity on Aquaculture which was carried at the Union of BC Indian Chiefs Annual General Assembly on September 18, 2009 (enclosed).
The UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly have affirmed and endorsed the principles as articulated in the Statement of Solidarity on Aquaculture (UBCIC resolution no.2009-35, enclosed). Accordingly, the Chiefs-in-Assembly call upon senior officials from Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to meet with the First Nations Fisheries Council and the Aquaculture Working Group immediately to discuss the proposed change of jurisdiction of the aquaculture industry from the Province to the Federal Government and ensure that First Nations are full participants on a government-to-government level in these jurisdictional discussions.
Given the timeline provided by the Supreme Court of BC in the Morton it is imperative that Federal and Provincial officials meet with the First Nation leadership and engage on this issue as agreed upon in previous meetings between the First Nations Fisheries Council, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and Pacific Region Department of Fisheries.
If there are any questions or comments please contact Chief Bob Chamberlain, Secretary-Treasurer at (778) 988-9282 or Maureen Grant, Policy Analyst at mgrant@ubcic.bc.ca or at (604)684-0231.
On behalf of the UNION OF BC INDIAN CHIEFS
[Original Signed]
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip President
Chief William Charlie Vice-President
Chief Robert Chamberlin Secretary-Treasurer
