Magnificent Canoe, and the Great Bear Rainforest

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Turtle Island Native Network is reporting that the New Relationship with First Nations is still alive in British Columbia.

News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas - Bob Kennedy
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

The health of the relationship has been dubious because of various setbacks - lack of treaty progress, feeble attempts at consultation,
refusal to launch an inquiry into missing/murdered women, ongoing erosion of Aboriginal Rights, traditional lands and resources, etc. . .

HOWEVER, the presentation this week of a magnificent gift to BC, illustrates the relationship is indeed alive, although not in perfect health.

A traditionally-carved, ocean-going cedar canoe was gifted by Nanwakolas Council First Nations to the Province of British Columbia
to celebrate the joint protection of the Great Bear Rainforest . . . VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/v/vyEtmyz4VKw


(paddling across Coal Harbour in Vancouver with the Olympic rings in the background)

The 11.1-metre (36 ft., 6 in.) cedar canoe is adorned by an eagle and a whale - representing First Nations' connection to the land, air and water.
Coming together, the two images signify our responsibility to look at things from a complete perspective.
Cedar is emblematic of British Columbia's coast rainforest ecosystem and plays a vital role in First Nations culture,
the region's biodiversity and in the continued vitality of the forest products industry.

The canoe was built over six months by members of the Nanwakolas Council First Nations.
The Nanwakolas Council First Nations members are the Da'naxda'xw
Awaetlala First Nation, Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nation, K'ómoks Nation,
Kwakiutl Band Council, Kwiakah First Nations, Mamalilikulla-
Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em Band, 'Namgis First Nation, and Tlowitsis First Nation.

The gift of this canoe commemorates the ongoing partnership at the heart of the historic Coast Land Use decision.

"We are pleased to be giving this canoe to the Province of British Columbia as a symbol of the relationship that began with the
development of Ecosystem Based Management and the completion of the Great Bear Rainforest Plan," said Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas
Council. "While we have made tremendous progress, work must still continue in the spirit of the New Relationship - this canoe serves as a
great reminder to us all that if we are not paddling in the same direction, we will never get there."

(Nanwakolas members in traditional dress, led by Namgis Chief Bill Cranmer drumming as they walk from the dock to the main stage)

These eight First Nations have come together on a regional basis to
participate collectively on various land and resource management and
planning issues, including participating in development and
implementation of the central coast land and resource management plan.

"I am honoured to accept this beautiful canoe on behalf of the
Province," said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell. "It represents strength of our collaboration and
shared leadership with the Nanwakolas First Nations. "We have a roadmap
towards the two goals of healthy communities and healthy forest
ecosystems in the Great Bear Rainforest by 2014. This is a bold and
challenging initiative that we are making an Olympic effort to
achieve."


(Pictured left Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council, presenting Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell with a symbolic steering paddle)

The Coast Land Use decision is globally significant for being the first
ever to rely on an ecosystem-based management (EBM) framework to
protect one of the world's greatest ecological gems, the Great Bear
Rainforest, while balancing the needs of the communities that depend on
the land for their livelihoods.

The EBM framework, established in March 2009, sets out a verifiable and
adaptive approach to managing human activities to ensure coexistence of
healthy ecosystems and communities. Vast areas of temperate rainforest
are now protected and EBM provides the framework for resource
industries to work within.

The Great Bear Rainforest possesses breathtaking beauty, unparalleled
recreational opportunities and incredible species diversity spanning
6.4 million hectares along British Columbia's mainland Pacific Coast
across from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the State of
Alaska.

"Partnership and sustainability are two key words in our relations with
First Nations and with the forest industry," said George Abbott,
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. "The Coast Land
Use decision and the practice of EBM are important parts of building a
responsible future for our communities. This magnificent canoe is a
symbol of our willingness to work together to create that future."

BACKGROUNDER

COAST LAND USE DECISION/GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST

On February 7, 2006, reported across the international community for
its global significance, the British Columbia government joined with
First Nations, industry, conservationists, communities and stakeholders
to announce the Coast Land Use Decision. The decision committed to
improving protection and sustainable eco-management of resources in
British Columbia's Pacific coastal rainforest, also known as the Great
Bear Rainforest.

The land use decision covers 6.4 million hectares, an area twice the
size of Belgium, and fully protects 1.8 million hectares from resource
development. The decision was the result of 10 years of negotiations
between the Province, local governments, environmental groups, resource
industry stakeholders and 18 First Nations.

The most globally unique and relevant aspect of the land use decision
is the commitment to ecosystem-based management (EBM) - an adaptive and
verifiable approach that manages human activities to ensure coexistence
of healthy ecosystems and communities. Adaptive management means that
as improved practices are identified, they will be implemented. The
approach relies on a government-to-government decision-making model
between the Province and First Nations.

In 2007, participants in the coast planning process were recognized
with the World Wildlife Fund's "Gift to the Earth" award for the
creation of the protected areas, the participatory land use planning
process, and the establishment of $120-million endowment and funding
mechanism to support conservation and sustainable development for
coastal communities.

On March 31, 2009 all parties endorsed a five-year EBM implementation
plan that sets out next steps and key milestones against which progress
can be measured, with the ultimate goal to achieve low risk to coastal
ecosystems as well as healthy and resilient communities.

Other key elements of the EBM framework include:
* An inclusive and collaborative approach with a large number of First
Nations, the Province of British Columbia, conservation groups and the
forest industry.
* Updated legal orders to guide EBM implementation and improve
ecological values with a target of ensuring low ecological risk by
2014.
* Low-impact logging regulations that set aside 50 per cent of the
natural range of old growth forests.
* Smaller forest openings, with more trees left behind in harvest
areas, fewer roads, and greater protection of stream banks and riparian
zones.
* Logging operations will be more flexible and mobile, focusing on the
value of the stand to be harvested ahead of the potential volume to be
removed.