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Huu-ay-aht First Nation on Vancouver Island could be barking up the wrong tree, standing at odds with some members of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and their resolution to ban logging old-growth forests.
A press statement from Huu-ay-aht Sept. 29 said Resolution C27 takes away from their legal and historic right and responsibility to manage their lands and resources as the hereditary leaders and duly-elected government sees fit.
The modern treaty, the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, grants to the Huu-ay-aht self-government, ownership of its own lands and resources, a stewardship role on Crown lands within Huu-ay-aht territory, as well as a Crown forestry tenure.
The Huu-ay-aht, as a treaty nation, fully-participates in the proceedings of UBCM. The statement said the Huu-ay-aht are disappointed in the lack of consultation and full debate on the ban on logging old-growth, as well as the means by which it was brought up and passed in short order.
“As First Nations, we are stewards of the forestry resources on our lands,” said Chief Councillor
Robert J. Dennis Sr. He said that forestry is not only sustainable in Huu-ay-aht territory, but guided by three principles: respect, everything is one, and taking care of present and future generations.
The nation acknowledged that there are communities that want the ban on old-growth logging, but Huu-ay-aht insists it is the responsibility of First Nations and the provincial government to consult on and manage Crown lands, and not the responsibility of local governments.
“Environmental groups do not speak for us on forestry issues,” said Dennis. “I would have hoped local governments would realize that sustainable forestry begins with consultation and accommodation of First Nations’ interests. A unilateral and one-size-fits-all resolution calling on the Province to ban old-growth harvest on our traditional territory is completely unacceptable.”