Press Release & Jail Statements Press Release – 16 September 1995 "First of all; we acknowledge and recognize Tatau, the Creator through Manakays, the Great Spirit for all that is provided for us since the beginning of time and still is today" Three Interfor workers showed up this morning on the beach at ISTA (Fog Creek). They made lots of false statements and promises: that they will be leave the area cleaned up and at high tide remove their equipment including dynamite, 3000 gallons of fuel, etc. Interfor claimed it would leave ISTA and the Fog Creek Watershed intact and not destroy the salmon creeks. It promised to install culverts as part of the BC Forest Ministry requirement for abandoning a logging road. The Nuxalk People will continue to defend and protect the ISTA from Interfor and they will also preserve and occupy the Fog Creek Watershed. Events leading up to Interfor's visit this morning are as follows: – The Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs, Elders and Nuxalkmc with the support of the Forest Action Network (FAN) demanded that the dynamite, detonators and equipment be removed from ISTA (Fog Creek). Forty-eight hours notice was given to Interfor. – Six Interfor workers also came to do an inventory of all the dynamite and equipment. They said that they would convey Nuxalk Nation demands to their superiors. – Phone calls were made to Heiltsuk Nation for support and assistance. – In response to this request, Heiltsuk Nation Hereditary Chiefs Reggie Moody, Dean Wilson, Don Vickers, and Mitchell Vickers arrived at ISTA (Fog Creek) on Friday, 15 September 1995, at approximately 1:00 pm. Heiltsuk Nation chiefs pledged their support to the blockade and brought food to help the Nuxalkmc. – Nuxalk Elders Lucy Mack (86 years old) and Amanda Siwallace (76 years old) made every effort to greet the Heiltsuk People. Lucy walked a ll 1.5 km hill. Amanda was carried by eight young men the last 100 metres. – A precedent was set when FAN environmental group joined the Nuxalk Nation sovereign people in a blockade. Another precedent was set when the sovereign people of Nuxalk Nation and Heiltsuk Nation joined in forces to oppose the logging at ISTA. – The Nuxalkmc received the Heiltsuk with honor. Nuxalk Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc (Lawrence Pootlass) danced the Welcome Honour Dance and Agnes Edgar danced with Chief Liciw7mutusayc (Taylor King). – An exchange of speeches between Heiltsuk Nation and Nuxalk Nation occurred. These discussions came to the recognition of sovereignty and the protection of ISTA as well as the other watersheds in their overlapping territories. There was also a call for each sovereign nation to work together with each other. The RCMP arrived at 3:30 pm, during this historic occasion. – The RCMP discussed the situation of the blockade and also inspected Interfor equipment. Upon the request of Chief Nuximlayc (Lawrence Pootlass) the RCMP left their side arms in their boats. Statements were made to the RCMP that this is not an enforcement issue but a political and environmental issue. Helicopter surveillance occurred during the RCMP visit. – Shortly after the RCMP left, the Nuxalk neighbours, the Heiltsuk departed. As the Heiltsuk representatives left, Hereditary Chief Reggie Moody danced on the bow of his boat to say farewell with the Nuxalk song of "Ahiyala." He pledged that there would be additional support coming from Heiltsuk sovereign People. "We are calling upon all our brother and sister sovereignists to cometogether to protect our Home Lands and we also call upon them to support the Gustafsen Lake issue." Mid coast area environmental issues are highly political. ISTA is not an enforcement issue. The sovereignty stance taking place at ISTA is in no way part of the BC Treaty Process. Way! House of Smayusta Bella Coola

Jail Statements by Nuxalkmc Chiefs From the Pretrial Jail in Vancouver, British Columbia 27 September 1995

Qwatsinas At ISTA I see that loggers have rights – roadbuilders have rights – and logging companies have rights. And they have the RCMP to back up their rights. As Hereditary Chiefs and Nuxalkmc we are protecting and defending our Forest and our Land and our Rights. But there is no law enforcement or the RCMP to enforce our Rights. In order for us to protect and defend ISTA we have to do it ourselves. Under the BC Treaty Commission process, loggers, road builders, logging companies, and the RCMP are all at the negotiations table: they are in a major conflict of interest. We are not signing the BC Court release forms because of our principles and morals. As HereditaryChiefs, we cannot accept guilt on behalf of our Nuxalk People. We cannnot sign release forms on that basis. We cannot accept the destruction of our Forests at ISTA. We call ourselves "political prisoners." We are opposing the destruction of ISTA and we will not back down. The exploiters came to ISTA to defend the colonial system that they profit from. They took us prisoners because of our beliefs and idealism. This is not an enforcement issue, it is a political, environmental and human rights issue. We will stand fast for what we believe in. Way!         Right: Fifteen years after he was imprisoned for his stand at ISTA, the 82 year old Chief Nuximlayc is still dancing, seen here at the 2009 Snuxyaltwa Potlatch in Bella Coola

Nuximlayc As I reflect on the stand at ISTA there is a great feeling of success and pride. There is also a great sadness in me: on my losses and our losses. We faced all the adversities that were possible to face, yet we are still here standing behind our commitments. I extend my most deep appreciation for all your prayers and support of the Nuxalkmc. Our spirits are strengthened since we have completed our protocol with Forest Action Network. We are excited to begin with our Nuxalk campaign to protect our Land, and to see old faces and meet new people. It is encouraging to see and feel the support for ISTA from all corners of the world. We ask that you continue this support. I want to thank those who gave us encouragement and to those who were present and to those who dedicated their efforts to help us. Way!

Slicxwliqw' I, Charlie Nelson, am one of the Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs. I am currently in jail for protecting our Land from destruction. There are two other Hereditary Chiefs, Lawrence Pootlass and Edward Moody, who are also in jail for the same reason. We are political prisoners of the Canadian Government. On 26 September 1995, the RCMP abducted us from our own Land. They took us by boat and by plane to politically imprison us for practising our traditional duties. Today we had our preliminary hearing. This is why I am not able to speak for myself. We have been placed in the HOLE (isolation) for trying to exit the court room peacefully. We are doing this to show people of the world the injustice that occurs to our People. We are doing this to show that the Canadian Government is detaining us for protecting our Land. It is our duty through the Potlatch system to protect our Land. Our songs, stories and dances remind us of these duties. Just as the RCMP and the judges enforce their law, we must enforce our laws. We must protect our Land because it provides our medicines, foods, our deer and fish. The Canadian monetary system imposed on us leaves our people 80% unemployed. We very much depend on our Nuxalk economic system because the Canadian system is not sufficient. Canadian laws could help and protect us but it also criminalizes us, depending on who is in control of the system and whom they uphold. Today the law upholds International Forest Products (Interfor) because of national interest and economic sense – not because of justice. For the future of our children, grand children and children yet to be born. Way!