Nine Tribes of the Coast Tsmishian outline their solution to the Nasoga Gulf controversy

Members of the Metlakatla First nation and Lax Kw'alaams gathered on
Highway 16 today to hold an information line to present
their side of the Nasoga Gulf dispute
(photo courtesy of S. Thomas, Metlakatla First Nation)

With an information blockade along Highway 16 taking place today at the entry point to Coast Tsimshian territory described as part of a "direct action" approach, the Nine Tribes of the Coast Tsimshian have provided further details related to the ongoing controversy over a proposed land sale by the provincial government.

An arrangement that was designed to provide additional land for the Nisga'a Lisims Government.

Earlier today we provided some of the background to the current state of the dispute and following that update, an information release was made public by the Nine Tribes that highlights some of the key elements to the dispute from the side of the governments of Metlaktala and Lax Kw'alaams.

Included in the latest notes on the file was a statement from Lax Kw'alaams Mayor John Helin who traced the historical view from the Nine Tribes of the status of the area in question.

 "The B.C. Government is proposing to unilaterally sell 22,100 hectares of our Nasoga Gulf Lands to the Nisga'a Nation with no justification. 

We strongly oppose the transfer of our land and will defend it vigorously, through the courts and through direct action like the information blockade we are hosting today. 

Selling our land would cause irreparable harm to us and unjustifiably infringe our Aboriginal Title while undermining provincial reconciliation efforts with the Nine Tribes of the Coast Tsimshian."

Members of the Nine Tribes of the Coast Tsimshian at an information
checkpoint along highway 16 today(photo courtesy of S. Thomas, Metlakatla First Nation)

The information statement also features a review of Tsimshian law history and oral traditions as it relates to the long running dispute between the Nine Tribes, the provincial government and that of the Nisga'a Lisims Government.

Dr. Andrew Marindale from the University of British Columbia is cited in the statement, offering his opinion on the plan to sell the land by the province.

"The sale of this land to the Nisga'a Nation would contradict the Province's 10 Principles that guide its relationship with Indigenous Peoples and its commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP)

As part of the information release, Metlakatla Chief Councillor Harold Leighton made note how the dispute could mean a halt to any interest in LNG development for the region.

With the Metlakatla leader noting that industrial developers are less inclined to invest in areas that may be subject to conflicting interests.


"We have heard from LNG proponents that they will not invest in this area if there is a conflict on these lands. 

We look forward to a day that we all share in the benefits that LNG and other uses of our lands bring to everyone. 

But this can only happen if this unilateral sale to the Nisga'a Nation doesn't proceed."

The political waters of Nasoga are choppy these days, with the dispute
between the Nine Tribes of the Coast Tsimshian, the Nisga'a Lisims Government
and the Province of British Columbia still an unresolved issue

At the heart of the controversy is the belief of the Nine Tribes that Nisga'a Nation relinquished any claims that they may have on the Nasoga Gulf area after the signing of the 1998 Nisga'a Treaty with the Province of British Columbia and Government of Canada.

With the Nine Tribes making note that harvesting rights in that area were granted by them and that did not mean that the Nisga'a were being given title to the lands.

Towards moving ahead on the file, the Nine Tribes of the Coast Tsimshian have called for the provincial government to work on a shared solution towards the ongoing dispute, noting however that as of yet, they have not had any success in bringing the NDP government to the table.

As they seek out some form of a solution, the Metlakatla and Lax Kw'alaams representatives have provided a glimpse at what a shared solution may look like:

An investment climate that attracts investors, based on collaboration not conflict 

Mutual benefit for the Nisga'a Nation, Nine Tribes, the region, B.C. and Canada 

Low GHG LNG, which requires renewables and electrification. By working together, it is possible to build the infrastructure to make B.C.'s LNG the cleanest in market and consistent with the Province's CleanBC Plan 

A chance to include other First Nations in connection with pipelines 

An opportunity for a collaborative Environmental Assessment

The statement is concluded with a renewed call by the Nine Tribes of Coast Tsimshian for an opportunity to work with their neighbours and the province towards a mutually beneficial resolution to the Nasoga lands.

The final notes of the update observing how their solution would ensure that the Nine Tribes, Nisga'a Nation, British Columbia and Canada will all benefit.


You can review the entire statement in full here.

For more background on the ongoing dispute and other items of note related to each of the First Nations involved see our archive pages below:

Lax Kw'alaams 

Metlakatla

Nisga'a Lisims/Nass Valley


Cross posted from the North Coast Review.