Coast Salish Development Corporation
News Updates
Cinnabar Vista, Nanaimo film producer of the "Stz'uminus Land Code" video wins big awards Click here for more information.
* * * * *
Ladysmith, Stz'uminus reach water service agreement
Town council agrees to extend its water, sewer services out to the Stz'uminus First Nation reserve. Click here for more information.
* * * * *
DFO to open commercial Geoduck Fishery in Stz'uminus Territory - Demonstrators expected at Kulleet Bay Beach
Ladysmith, BC –Despite more than 5 years of effort by Stz’uminus First Nation to gain the rights to farm geoduck in Kulleet Bay, the DFO has again decided to open the fishery to commercial harvesters. Following a meeting held earlier in July with DFO, Stz’uminus Chief John Elliott had renewed hope that a resolution could be reached. A follow up letter sent to DFO Minister Gail Shea last week requested she hold off on the opening to allow time for more discussion. The letter generated a simple response: the fishery will open.
The DFO decision puts Stz’uminus and harvesters directly at odds as both groups try to protect their livelihoods and earn a living from this valuable commodity which is a $47 million/year industry in BC. Stz’uminus leaders have repeatedly voiced concerns over the safety of Stz’uminus members and commercial harvesters if the DFO allows the fishery to proceed in Kulleet Bay, but the DFO has shown indifference, opening the fishery anyway.
Stz’uminus First Nation has stood firm on its intent to gain meaningful access to the geoduck industry. With productive geoduck beds lying right at their doorstep, a venture would provide much-needed employment for the band. The DFO’s PICFI program has provided Stz’uminus one-time access to a single geoduck quota block which carries an approx. $60,000 value – an amount too small and too uncertain to support any ongoing operation. Now, the DFO’s geoduck policy governing a potential Stz’uminus aquaculture operation is equally unsustainable – a situation that has come about largely due to the co-management structure of the fishery.
“The UHA already has a DFO-enforced monopoly on the commercial fishery,” said Chief Elliott, “now they’re getting more and more involved in aquaculture and they have the power to co-write DFO policy to keep others out. It’s become a serious conflict-of-interest issue.” The UHA (Underwater Harvesters Association) has co-managed the BC geoduck industry with DFO since 1989 and its members hold all non-PICFI inventory geoduck licences.
It is reported that the fishery will open as early as this Thursday and the Nation plans to gather at Kulleet Bay Beach to hold a peaceful demonstration. Kulleet Bay Beach is located at Kulleet Rd (at Chrch Rd) on Stz'uminus First Nation Reserve. (Jul 30, 2014)
* * * * *
Stz'uminus prohibits access of DFO and commercial fishing vessels to their traditional territory
A letter from Chief John Elliott on behalf of Stz'uminus First Nation to all BC Fisheries Sectoral Groups:
The Stz’uminus story is not a new one: another First Nation in a dispute with the DFO over fishing rights. Most Canadians have a basic awareness of First Nations’ history of rights disputes but what is less understood is what’s behind these disputes. In the past, aboriginal peoples were not granted the same basic rights as other Canadians resulting in poverty and numerous social problems. We have been fighting ever since to have those rights respected and repair our communities. In recent years, the Canadian government has made progress by enacting new legislation over aboriginal rights & title. The intent is simple: to allow First Nations to become self-sufficient while still honouring our traditions. Today, Stz’uminus First Nation has a similarly simple goal: for our members to have the opportunity to participate in the Canadian economy; to manage and benefit from resources within our territory... hopefully, to elevate our community to a better standard of living. The Department of Fisheries & Oceans, however, continues to “miss the boat”.
Stz’uminus First Nation has endured DFO’s frustrating oversight of the fisheries in the Salish Sea for decades. The DFO has repeatedly failed to follow proper Aboriginal Consultation & Accommodation laws and continues to enact policy reflecting this failure. The recent Nuu-chah- nulth victory in the roe-herring harvest has proven that the DFO will allow access to a fishery, even when their own scientists recommended otherwise – a clear example of systemic problems within DFO. These issues - the failure to recognize aboriginal rights, title and consultation laws and the ongoing mismanagement of the fisheries – leave us no choice: our community must take action.
At this time, it is our intention to limit access to our Core Territory for all vessels including commercial fishing, DFO and government vessels. Included with this letter is a map delineating Stz’uminus First Nation Core Territory and “No-Go-Zone”. We understand that this will create challenges for all parties and we would like to firmly state that our fight is not with the commercial harvesters. Our fight is with the DFO alone and our hope is to compel them to follow Canadian law when enacting new policy and change their existing policies surrounding aboriginal access accordingly.
Of primary concern is the safety of all parties. We understand the impact this will have on commercial harvesters and we regret that there are other groups besides our own that will be affected. We will do our best to keep you informed of our intentions and progress, throughout. We are a peaceful community and it is our hope that DFO will act quickly to resolve this matter.
We do not take the decision to block access lightly but we have exhausted our available options. Making a living from the sea has been a way of life for the Stz’uminus for thousands of years and the DFO’s policies and management of resources has made that all but impossible. We know we are not the only group affected: everyone whose livelihoods are tied to the Salish Sea have to deal with DFO’s mismanagement. It is not our intention to cause hardship for the commercial fishers and, in fact, we recognize that our mutual interests are not so different. We all want the same things: to have sustainable, long-term employment for ourselves, our employees, members of our communities and for future generations. (May 8, 2014)
* * * * *
FNLM: Stz'uminus are Taking Back Control of their Land
On Dec 5, 2013 Stz'uminus members voted for FNLM with a 96% majority. With this vote Stz’uminus First Nation members voted to reassume jurisdiction over their lands and resources! An outstanding majority of the communities registered voters casted their ballots in support of Land Governance under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
Stz'umninus First Nation are ready to regain control over their lands and resources. Chief Robert Louie, Westbank First Nation congratulated the Stz'uminus: "I am extremely pleased for the Stz’uminus Community who overwhelmingly voted 95% in favour of their Land Code. I offer Chief and Council and the Stz’uminus community my heartiest congratulations! I am confident that with Stz’uminus land management jurisdiction, they will succeed in every respect at the highest level. Well done Stz’uminus!"
Coast Salish Development Corporation would like to thank all Stz'uminus members and the Communication team for their continued support and hard work. Visit the CSDC facebook page to check out the FNLM video.
* * * * *
Celebrating Completion of Water and Wastewater at Oyster Bay Reserve
Coast Salish Development Corporation, the economic development agency of the Stz’uminus First Nation, held a celebratory ceremony to commemorate the completion of water and wastewater infrastructure at Stz’uminus’ Oyster Bay Reserve. Chief John Elliott and Mayor Rob Hutchins were joined by the Honourable John Duncan to say a few words in celebration of this momentous occasion.
“The sewer and water servicing project is just the first of many overdue and exciting joint initiatives that the Town and the Stz’uminus First Nation will be working on together,” said Mayor Rob Hutchins. “We are guided in our work by our joint Community Accord and Memorandum of Understanding, both designed to strengthen our relationships and our two communities.”
This project marks just one of many significant initiatives pursued between Stz’uminus First Nation and the Town of Ladysmith – as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the respective Councils in August of 2012. Water and sewer services at Oyster Bay will make way for proposed development in the area, and will also secure a safe water source for the Stz’uminus community currently residing at Oyster Bay.
Chief John Elliott expressed that the completion of water and sewer “is a success for Stz’uminus and will help make an economy and build the local area”. This is the “start of where we are going for our future”.
Water and sewer connection has been one of the top priorities for Coast Salish Development Corporation, and after years of hard work the infrastructure is finally in place – development of Oyster Bay can begin.
The Honourable John Duncan was elated to come to this celebration, stating that “one year ago I made the funding announcement for this project – and now Phase One of the water and sewer project is complete”. “Your communities have much to be proud of” said Minister Duncan, a testament to the hard work that has been put into completing this project.
Minister Duncan was serving as the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) during the construction of the water and wastewater infrastructure at Oyster Bay. He was a huge support for this project in securing a significant funding deal from AANDC – which provided Stz’uminus First Nation with nearly $1.5 million in August 2012. The Stz’uminus First Nation is working towards a future of self-sufficiency. With the support from AANDC, Stz’uminus First Nation has made great strides in moving towards this goal.
With this integral infrastructure complete, water will soon flow from the Town of Ladysmith to Oyster Bay. Development at Oyster Bay will be underway within the next 12 months.
For more information see the new Oyster Bay Development website: http://www.oysterbaydevelopment.com/ (Oct 9, 2013)
* * * * *
Holland Creek Project
The limited partnership agreement between Coast Salish Development Corporation and our Holland Creek partners has been signed. By the end of 2014 we will begin construction of the planned 529 residential development at the Holland Creek areaof Ladysmith, BC. This project is a significant opportunity for CSDC and our partners.
The next 16 months will include further planning, public input, zoning application preparations and submission, approvals and tendering construction contracts. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to commence in December of 2014. We will keep you up to date on this project as it progresses. Click here for the Holland Creek Development Plan.
* * * * *
Oyster Bay Development
We are excited to announce a new development in the Ladysmith/ Nanaimo area. This development not only creates new housing for singles, families and seniors, but also commercial and office spaces as well as tourism opportunities. Check out our new website: www.oysterbaydevelopment.com
* * * * *
CSDC and RCR Mining Sign MOU
We are proud to announce the beginning of a new partnership between Stz’uminus First Nation and RCR Mining. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday at our annual Power in Numbers networking event. We are aiming to partner on a 2,400-hectare property located on what is known as the Sognidoro property near the outside of the Chemainus River Valley. Don Hubbard, operations manager for RCR Mining, said the MOU is the start of “a business relationship for a long period of time” with the potential to produce minerals, jobs and wealth for many generations. “We are very pleased to be partnering with the Stz’uminus First Nation people… so that they can be part of the economic development and benefits that we will see coming from this operation,” Hubbard said. “We are hoping to develop the mine over the next 5-6 years.”
The project is in the pre-exploration phase, but initial surveys results and other data reveal there could be approximately 10,000,000 tonnes of copper, zinc and other ore deposits in the area.
Ray Gauthier, CEO of Coast Salish Development Corporation (CSDC) pointed out that the project wouldn't start until 2016. The MOU is “paving the way for discussion with this group".
* * * * *
Newsletters:
- Newsletters will be posted soon. Please check back.
