| "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" |
In September 1995 Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs and People were arrested for protecting ISTA from clearcutting. While they were in jail, the wife of Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc (Lawrence Pootlass) became ill and died. Under duress, he signed out of jail to be at his wife's side to mourn. Interfor was once again given notice by a letter dated 29 May 1997 from Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc stating: "we are not involved or negotiating under the BC Treaty Process" and "You must consider this as a notice to your company to leave our forests alone." The Nuxalk Hereditary leadership also invited the elected Nuxalk band council, the Heiltsuk (Bella Bella) band council, the Kitasoo band council and the Oweekeno band council to stand together and protect Indian Land at ISTA. A large number of friends of the Nuxalk Nation are also presently at ISTA to assist in this stand against clearcut logging including Forest Action Network, Bear Watch, Greenpeace and PATH. We will keep you informed, and if you have any questions someone will be at the above address to provide answers. We ask for your prayers and support in protecting ISTA from further destruction by Interfor. For the future of our children, grandchildren and those yet to be born . . . Way! House of Smayusta Bella Coola |
| "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" |
At approximately 9:30 am, Friday 6 June 1997 Interfor served an injunction to stop this blockade. This was the same injunction that was used by Interfor in September 1995. The Nuxalkmc Chiefs and People, as well as environmentalist groups, remain committed to stopping the logging of ISTA. ISTA is an area of the greatest cultural value to the Nuxalkmc. It is a sacred area known as the place where the first lady of the Nuxalk people descended down to Nuxalk Territory from Nusmata, heaven. A highly respected Elder's name, Skuclikwana (Lucy Mack) originated from ISTA. Her name came from two islands, one of which is Nuxalknalus (King Island). The Nuxalk hereditary leadership and people were put in jail for protecting their sacred site in September 1995.Interfor was once again given notice on 29 May 1997 by Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc:We are not involved or negotiating under the BC Treaty process. . . You must consider this as a notice to your company to leave our forests alone. The Hereditary Chiefs and Elders have stated that we are under our own traditional Nuxalk laws. Each Nuxalk family has their own smayusta as to how their first ancestors descended to earth. Smayusta means origin stories, traditional names, territory, songs dances, and language/dialect. This must be respected.The Nuxalk traditional law is not under the Indian Act. The elected band council is governed by the Indian Act in its administration of government funding. The elected band council does not have the authority to deal with issues affecting Nuxalkmc traditional law. The Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs are asking for your prayers and support. For the future of our children, grandchildren and those yet to be born . . . Way! House of Smayusta Bella Coola |
| "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" |
| About sixty people including the Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs and Nuxalk People, as well as the Forest Action Network, Greenpeace, Bearwatch, and Path environmental groups stopped logging at ISTA (Fog Creek, King Island). The workers for Interfor were stopped at the bottom of the road near the ocean, where a banner had been placed. At approximately 9:30 am on Friday, 6 June 1997, Interfor served us with an injunction to stop our blockade. This was the same Court ordered injunction that was earlier used by Interfor in 1995. The Nuxalkmc Chiefs and People, as well as environmental groups, remain committed to stop logging at ISTA. ISTA is an area of the greatest cultural value to the Nuxalkmc. It is a Sacred area known as the place where the first lady of the Nuxalk people descended down to Nuxalk Territory from Nusmata; Heaven. A respected Elder, Skuclikwana (Lucy Mack) name originated from ISTA. Her name comes from two islands, one of which is Nuxalknalus (King Island). The Nuxalk Hereditary leadership and people were put in jail for protecting ISTA in 1995. Interfor was once again given notice on 29 May 1997 from Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc who stated: "we are not involved or negotiating under the BC Treaty Process and you must consider this as a notice to your company to leave our forests alone." The Hereditary Chiefs and Elders are under our own traditional Nuxalk laws. Each Nuxalk family has their own Smayusta as to how their first Ancestors descended to Earth. Smayusta means Origin Stories: traditional names, territory, songs dances, and language/dialect. These must be respected. Nuxalk traditional law is not under the Indian Act. The elected band council is governed by the Indian Act in its administration of government funding. The elected band council does not have the authority to deal with issues affecting Nuxalkmc traditional law. The Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs are asking for your prayers and support. For the future of our children, grandchildren and those yet to be born . . . Way! House of Smayusta Bella Coola |
| "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" |
"My mother has been arrested for protecting ISTA. My grandfather was arrested too," said Colette Schooner, a 16 year old Nuxalk Youth. "Now I am here for the youth and future generations to stop the clearcutting of this sacred forest."This historic action is being taken to stop logging in ISTA, and area of high cultural significance to the Nuxalk People. ISTA is where one of the First Nuxalk Woman descended. Today we have a song and dance called "ISTA."Strong words of encouragement and support came from Nuxalk Elders to our people who are making this heroic stand to protect ISTA from destruction. "Have strong minds on the road you are walking today. We thank you for being there. It is enough now that the trees have been taken from us. Be strong. I hold my hands up to you. Call on the Creator to comfort you." "I am just thankful that you took another stand for our land. It's a big sacrifice for you. I know the Lord will bless you. And I thank the Lord for the love he gave us for one another. Our hearts and prayers are with you. Love to you all."We, the Nuxalk Nation, remain committed to stop clearcut logging by Interfor at ISTA. We, the Nuxalk People, will continue to protect our sacred Nuxalk areas from being desecrated by multinational corporations. The Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chiefs maintain our position of sovereignty over all Nuxalk lands. We have never ceded, relinquished, or sold our lands to anyone, nor have we entered into any treaty ceding any of our Nation's Territory. We have not entered into any treaty negotiations with the B.C. Treaty Commission. We will continue to protect ISTA from Interfor's destructive clearcutting through the authority of our natural Nuxalk Law. For the future of our children, grandchildren and those yet to be born . . . Way! House of Smayusta Bella Coola |
