Klemtu, B.C., June 28, 2000 - The Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation Council and Hereditary Chiefs have announced an historic Land Use Plan that will see them designate 40% of their traditional territory on British Columbia's central coast as a protected area. In addition, the Kitasoo/Xai'xais have adopted a Protocol on the Environment that will govern future use and conservation of all their land and resources.
"We hold aboriginal rights and title to the land and resources within our traditional territory," said Percy Starr, Chief Negotiator for the Kitasoo/Xai'xais. "This Land Use Plan and Environmental Protocol will allow us to regain our rightful control of our lands and resources. We will work with all those who choose to cooperate with us to protect both the environmental values for our land and the economic growth for our people."
Hereditary Chief Archie Robinson said this initiative allows the Kitasoo/Xai'xais to take charge of their destiny. "In recent years, we have seen economic and environmental interests move into our territory with their views on how things should be done here. We have responded with a plan that will protect environmental values in our territory, including the habitat of the Kermode or Spirit Bear. The plan will also provide jobs for our people and economic development for our community." He said the designation of the protected area may have some short-term impact on employment but in the long run, the new land use arrangement will increase the number of forestry jobs in the area and add high-quality eco-tourism jobs.
The Land Use Plan calls for the protection of 40 per cent of the 530,000-hectare traditional territory that comprises their land and freshwater areas. The balance will be designated an integrated use area that will support jobs and economic development through ecologically sustainable forestry, fisheries and tourism activity. Only activity that protects the bears, fish and other parts of this region's eco-system as well as the Kitasoo/Xai'xais cultural values will be permitted in the integrated use area.
Both the plan and environment protocol provide a framework for the future of the Kitasoo/ Xai'xais people, a growing community hit hard in recent years by the decline of fishing, their main economic activity.
Kitasoo/ Xai'xais elected Chief Gary Hall said, "With this plan and our protocol we invite the BC government, Greenpeace, Sierra Club of BC, Valhalla Society, Suzuki Foundation, Spirit Bear Youth Coalition, Western Forest Products, Interfor and others to work with us to implement our plan. It is time for us to decide our future for ourselves."
Xai'xais Chief Ernest Mason, Jr. added, "It's about time. Our people have been pushing for us to become more active in the management of our lands and resources. This is an important first step that our people fully support." The president of the Tsimshian Tribal Council Bob Hill supports the initiative. "We stand behind the Kitasoo/Xai'xais people and their desire to manage their resources. They are committed to working with our First Nations, government, environmental groups and industry, but on terms that respect their rights and title."
Approximately 85% of the 460-member Kitasoo/ Xai'xais First Nation live in the community of Klemtu, located 200 kilometres southeast of Prince Rupert on the BC coast. They are part of the Treaty Process but have felt frustrated by its lack of progress. "For a number of years we have discussed land use and the needs of our people through the government-to-government process," said Band Manager Mr. Starr. He said the plan and the protocol will bring aboriginal rights to the table. "We can't wait for the treaty talks or for the Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) to be completed. We are moving forward now to assert how our rights and title will be respected. As we have in the past, we will work with any process or organization that will assist us to achieve our goals."
For further information:
Erin Airton Tel: 604-808-6420
Grant Scott Tel: 250-480-8193