Elders for Ancient Trees Newsletter

Here’s how you can take action:

Host a solidarity rally or action in your area. Spread the word

Issue a solidarity statement from your group. Email: yintahaccess@gmail.com

Pressure the government, banks, and investors yintahaccess.com/take-action-1

Donate yintahaccess.com/donate

For a good update on the political dynamics in this struggle for Indigenous Rights and Title see this recent Tyee article.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, January 12 at 4 p.m. Join RAVEN and West Coast Climate Action for the second in a four-part webinar series where Indigenous climate action leaders in B.C. share their thoughts and experience. Register now! Guest speakers include Pansy Wright-Simms, a member of the Luutkudziiwus (a traditional house group of the Gitxsan Nation), and Leona Humchitt, councillor and climate action coordinator of the Heiltsuk Nation.

From the Frontline

Roadside Camp Shut Down
On January 4, the following message was posted on Signal. “Roadside is being shut down. Whaletail [an Indigenous Matriarch of the Pacheedaht nation] has a camp that will remain. Further Blockades or actions need to be led from within the nation.” 

We understand that blockading was no longer occurring and the camp was becoming less viable. We will tell you more when we learn more.

Assessing the Year 2021 – Rainforest Flying Squad statement, Dec 2021

PROTESTERS ENDURE UNBEARABLE LOSSES IN 2021 WHILE LOGGING OCCURS IN PRECIOUS SALMON HABITAT

‘Ada’itxs (Fairy Creek, BC), Dec 29, 2021: The Fairy Creek Blockade has had a horrific year of loss. Two people are missing—one since October 13 and the other since November 27. Additionally, the tragic deaths of two other forest defenders occurred just days after leaving Fairy Creek. Both had experienced trauma due to enforcement of the injunction. Only days ago forest defenders at Fairy Creek discovered that Teal-Jones has recently been logging in Ditidaht territory, mere metres from a salmon-bearing stream.

Forest defenders are pleased that they have prevented the clearcut logging of the areas of the sacred headwaters of Fairy Creek; the valuable forests in Granite Creek, Bugaboo and Eden South; and stopped Western Forest Products from logging in the forests adjacent to the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park. But the newly discovered logging around a salmon-bearing stream is difficult to bear.

Already lost to clear-cut logging since the blockade began are the old-growth forests at Camper Creek, 2000 Road, and ancient forests at Caycuse and almost all of the Upper Caycuse.

“We’re in deep grief and mourning,” says land and forest defender, Rainbow Eyes “We’re grieving the loss of four people, the loss of Indigenous rights, the irreversible loss of entire ecosystems, the loss of healthy salmon streams, the loss of threatened species, the loss of our freedoms and rights. The government is not doing what’s best for the coming generations. The government is not working towards reconciliation. They are only working towards the almighty dollar,” adds Rainbow Eyes.

The Premier claimed in 2020 that his administration was protecting nearly 353,000 hectares of old growth forest and was committed to protecting biodiversity. The BC NDP has approved—and Teal-Jones has clear-cut—the government-approved cut blocks of old-growth forest formerly protected by forest defenders. The Premier promotes the beauty of British Columbia with his taxpayer-funded TV advertising displaying pristine intact ancient rainforests. These are the old-growth forests his government approved for clearcutting.

There’s no reason Teal-Jones could not achieve their Annual Allowable Cut as prescribed by the NDP Government. They’ve been clearcutting second growth forests unhindered. At no time have forest defenders blocked access to the logging of second-growth forests. Forest and land defenders have only stood ground when irreplaceable old-growth forests were at risk of destruction.

The at-risk forests in TFL #46 have seen thousands of people come to support, with almost 1,200 arrests. These forests have been guarded by fewer and fewer people since the weather turned in November and people are now travelling in pairs due to the disappearances. The new discovery of logging so close to a salmon habitat is a low blow at the end of the year, but defenders remain due to their convictions.

“The Premier could save our ancient forests. All he has to do is defer the logging in our ancient forests.” says Rainbow Eyes. “Saving Mother Earth is our priority. We think he should consider it a priority too.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Elliott, 250-532-6267, elliott@iD2.ca

An Award for Elder Bill

The Wilderness Committee awarded the 2021 Eugene Rogers Environmental Award to Pacheedaht First Nation Elder Bill Jones in a quiet, Covid-safe moment in December.

“Jones has been an outspoken advocate for preserving old-growth forests for years, spending time reconnecting with the rainforest and people passionate about protecting them. He has joined the Wilderness Committee and other activists on countless trips to the Walbran Valley, sharing stories and explaining the importance of old-growth forests to Nuchanulth culture and his own life. Jones has also spoken at rallies, demonstrations and public meetings all over southern Vancouver Island and the lower mainland over the past decade.

“For so many years, Elder Bill has stood up for endangered forests and been there to provide guidance, support and friendship to everyone who is working to protect them,” said National Campaign Director Torrance Coste. “Bill’s dedication is surpassed only by his kindness. We’re thrilled to honour him with this year’s award.”

See a video of Elder Bill accepting the award, sharing his kindness and inspiring words.

What Happened to our Legal Case?

On November 16, a panel of three judges heard the Teal-Jones appeal of Judge Thompson’s decision to deny them their injunction in TFL 46, plus the counter arguments presented by our team of lawyers. The judges said they would deliver their judgement in due time.

As you read this, eight weeks have passed, and we’re still waiting. Meanwhile, logging continues. It seems there is no deadline for the judges’ deliberation, which is very convenient for Teal-Jones. The hope is that this long period may signal some internal disagreement. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

Elders’ fundraising update

In December some very generous donations were made towards clothing and equipment for forest protectors. As it has transpired, most of those funds were not needed.
If you donated and would like those funds returned to you, OR if you would like them moved to legal defence costs or elsewhere, please contact Jackie at jlarkin@gddc.com with instructions.

Ongoing financial support for Flip Flop/Charlotte Jones

Charlotte has continued to provide Indigenous leadership on the front line.  She has lost her accommodation in Victoria and needs help finding a new home for her and her son and financial support for the transition.

Any suggestions for a home place or donations will be appreciated. Direct deposit to googs1980@hotmail.com (autodeposit).

Strategy Bits: looking forward & some tactics in the works

Compiled by Jackie Larkin, representing her views only, with appreciation to Bobby Arbess for some of the good thinking behind these notes. We look forward to your feedback and contributions on the way forward: oldfolksforoldgrowth@gmail.com, subject line: Strategy.

Assessing – Important gains
Fierce and sustained direct-action tactics of the past year, supported by widespread political action and pressure on the government, have resulted in some important gains in defence of old-growth forests:

• There is widespread and committed popular support for ending the logging of old growth.

• In Fairy Creek proper, early on, we won some deferrals, and over the summer and fall we slowed the logging.

• Indigenous leadership is increasingly front and centre in the Fairy Creek mobilizations on the ground and in Victoria, and this will continue.

• The sustained action was a powerful support to spur the recommendations of the Technical Panel which has recommended deferrals throughout the province.

• The movement’s range of creative action tactics has certainly garnered international attention and concern for the dire threat to the little old growth remaining.

• The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, individual nations and the First Nations Forestry Council have mounted strong criticism of the NDP government strategy, which provides no conservation financing to First Nations wishing to stop old-growth logging, imposes impossible deadlines for deferral feedback and leaves industry in the driver’s seat.

• As a result, among BCers there is a growing, but still limited, understanding of the impossible position that the government has imposed on First Nations.

Assessing – On the other hand

• The NDP government maintains popular support, despite what follows.

• The RCMP has broken the blockade and the logging continues in the greater Fairy Creek area.

• The proposed deferral areas arising from the Technical Panel recommendations remain deferrals only. Nothing is permanently protected! A “high-level review of provincial logging data by Sierra Club BC shows that thousands of hectares that were proposed for deferrals have already been logged, and thousands more are on the chopping block for the coming months.” (Jens Weiting)

• Many BCer’s are genuinely confused about how much protection of old growth is actually occurring and how much power First Nations genuinely have in determining the future of their territory—a direct result of government dissembling and misinformation.

• The NDP government has imposed impossible conditions on First Nations, the large majority of which have rejected the 30-day timeline for responding to what deferrals they support. The BC First Nations Forestry Council describe the process as “disrespectful, compressed, flawed and disingenuous” in a January 5 statement. Brian Tate of the Ditidaht Nation tells Minister Conroy:“This behaviour is inconsistent with the Declaration Act [BC UNDRIP], and not conducive to renewing the relationship between First Nations and the Province, which your government claims to be deeply committed to.” The BC Union of Indian Chiefs states: “To be effective, old-growth deferrals must be immediate, well-funded and transparently communicated to Nations—essentially the opposite of what the B.C. government has done.” (Khelsilem, Chairperson for the Squamish Nation Council). “The BC NDP are giving a terrible choice by only offering consent for temporary deferrals but not requiring consent for logging”.

With these partial contributions to assessing the state of affairs, here are some ideas about going forward regarding tactics and strategy

Focus on saving Eden Grove!
This is an initiative led by Saul Arbess (of Elders for Ancient Trees and other forest protection groups).

Saul has begun organizing a campaign to save Eden Grove and Eden South. Many Elders have visited Eden and have developed a deep heart commitment to this magnificent forest. Neither the Grove nor Eden South have been deferred. One of these areas has been issued a road-building permit. Saul believes that achieving a deferral in this area is winnable, but requires swift action.

Saul has received information on how to apply for further deferrals from a member of the OG Technical Panel. He will prepare a proposal to the government which will then have to gain the approval of Jeff Jones and the Pacheedaht First Nation.

He will be consulting with the Indigenous Leadership of FC movement and is suggesting that the lead organization be the Friends of Carmanah Walbran which historically has had good relations with Jeff Jones. Others are needed to help carry the campaign forward.

Saul invites Elders who are interested to work on this. If you want to play an organizing and promoting role, please contact Saul at sarbess@shaw.ca

Support Ancient Forest Alliance’s call for BC budget 2022 funding
The AFA is calling on the NDP government to allocate $300 million in its Feb 22 budget to fund alternative revenue streams to help First Nations and forestry dependent communities to transition out of old-growth logging. This call dovetails with the strong and consistent position taken by the BC Union of Indian Chiefs. BC funding matched with federal money would create a strong base, also recruiting private funds. An opportunity to mobilize?

Support struggles for Indigenous land stewardship and defence of old growth provincewide
Strategically, The NDP government is particularly vulnerable with the glaring contradiction between its rhetoric on Indigenous rights and old-growth forests and the daily reality of the continued colossal decimation of land for resource extraction. Striking at the heart of this contradiction is where we must strengthen our leverage.

It is our hope that Union of BC Indian Chiefs and individual nations will continue to actively reject the BC NDP strategy to prop up industry and might welcome a role for us. Under  Indigenous leadership, Elders for Ancient Trees and other parts of this movement could strengthen this leverage by prioritizing real and concrete support to First Nations and to dispossessed Indigenous keepers of the land—hereditary leaders, elders, matriarchs and youth. This would be premised on UBCIC and some First Nations inviting this support. We will explore this. It would ask of us that we broaden our attention to First Nations defending traditional territory against logging throughout BC.

For example, the Nuchatlaht Nation on the northwest of Vancover Island is engaged in an active resistance to logging on Nootka Island traditional territory. The BC government claims that the nation has abandoned the territory  “This defence of abandonment is a procedural barrier. It’s a way of making it difficult and expensive to get to court.” says the lawyer representing the band. But, hey, the BC government supports UNDRIP!

In the News

Jan 10, Times-Colonist, Douglas Street reopens after arrest of old-growth protesters (This group, Save Old Growth, describes themselves as ‘an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion.’)

Jan 10, The Tyee, BC NDP Faces Internal Pressure to Change Course on the Wet’suwet’en Crisis

Jan 5, BriarPatch, The C-IRG: the resource extraction industry’s best ally (How the Community-Industry Response Group and the RCMP officers, otherwise known as the green guys, threaten democratic process in Fairy Creek and elsewhere .)

Jan 5, 2022, B.C. First Nations and Forestry Council Call for a Reset of ‘Flawed Consultation’ Process https://www.forestrycouncil.ca/blogs

Jan 4, Canadian Press (TC), Logging among stressors for Pacific salmon, experts say

Jan 1 Financial Times, Climate change and the battle for Canada’s forests

Dec 30, Victoria News, Friends and family launch fundraiser for missing Kevin ‘Bear’ Henry last seen near Fairy Creek

Dec 23, Ricochet, NDP fallout over B.C. government actions harms federal election chances

Dec 22, Times Colonist MLA, Environmentalists push for funding to protect old-growth forests

Dec 22, CBC News As an Indigenous leader, I didn’t feel heard at COP26  “Our stewardship and knowledge is essential to combating climate change.”—Nuchatlaht chief Jordan Michael, Tyee Ha’wiilth

Dec 22, The Narwahl, opinion piece by Sierra Club BC’s Jens Wieting When will the B.C. government prove whether it really intends to save the last old-growth? “Despite a flurry of recent announcements about intentions to defer old-growth logging, little progress has been made to protect the province’s last ancient forests.”

Dec 21, Victoria News, B.C. ancient forest advocates call on province to fund alternative revenue streams

Dec 1, UBCIC First Nations and TAP Member Demand Faster Action and Adequate Resources to Protect Old-Growth Forests

Dec 1, Focus Magazine, The Great Tree Robbery  A jaw-dropping article by Ben Parfitt on the ‘credits’ given to logging companies for cutting down trees for wood-pellets. “Under the scheme, which applies across BC’s vast interior region, logging companies that truck lower value trees to wood pellet mills and pulp mills receive credits from the government that allow them to go back into the forest and log as many trees again.”

Nov 25, 2020, The Narwhal B.C. argues Nuchatlaht Nation ‘abandoned’ its territory. Lawyer reminds court ‘land was stolen.”

Request for tent-repair space

From Suzanne Hamilton, one of our members: “The tents from Fairy Creek that were all messed up and put in a pile by the RCMP need to be re-constructed and probably repaired. I’ve decided to take that on. To do the job I need a room like a gym or a meeting room that we don’t have to pay for.”
If you know of a space that Suzanne could use, please email her at suzanneh@shaw.ca

Resources

The Last of the Ancient Rainforest, a recently-released film by Paul Johnson—offered for free until Jan 16;  password: Sitka (with a capital S)—explores the historical background of forestry in BC, along with beautiful photography that lets nature speak for itself. He traces the activist movement from Clayoquot to Fairy Creek and shows how government and industry have conspired, and still do, to eliminate every last vestige of old-growth forest as a means to convert the province into one big tree plantation. You can watch the trailer, rent it or buy it after Jan 16.

The Evergreen Alliance

From the launch statement:  “We do not consent to the destruction of life on Earth. As informed citizens of British Columbia, we do not consent to the profit-driven removal of our life-support systems. To end the suicidal war on nature, we need to understand what’s driving it, who supports it, who is benefitting from it—and why it poses an existential threat to human society. Alongside that work, we will develop a new vision for BC forests—one that doesn’t destroy them. It’s an urgent matter of planetary survival.”

Make sure you check the website—https://www.evergreenalliance.ca/—at least once a month; it’s an incredible source of information on BC’s forests. Here are just a few of this month’s offerings:

• Forestry definitely doesn’t pay the bills, folks: An analysis by Dave Broadland on how much the forest industry is being subsidized by the BC government.

• The need to reform BC forest legislation: Antony Britneff’s history of how the BC Council of Forest Industries took over the Ministry of Forests.

• Reforming BC Timber Sales—how to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear: Saul Arbess’ take on the deplorable practices of BCTS, and how to reform them.

Creeker: Vol 1 has been released: a zine publication entirely about Fairy Creek, motivated by a desire to tell our own stories to each other, to nurture each other, and to keep the flame burning. Contributions include odes, poetry, stories, reflection, news and analysis. Online and printable versions available. Free, printed b/w copies also available soon at Spartacus Books in Vancouver and Camas Books at 2620 Quadra St. in Victoria.

(FYI, this is a radical, direct-action publication which challenges reformist, non-violent strategies, and is critical of any electoral focus and of the role of environmental non-governmental organizations—Jackie)

An ‘Ada’itsx/Fairy Creek photo album

One of our members, Mary Leslie-Shaw, has worked tirelessly to compile this album of photos to present to the federal ministers Steven Guilbeault, Jonathan Wilkinson, and Joyce Murray. View Mary’s collection here

A Fairy Creek 2021 timeline resource

Rainforest Flying Squad has developed a very useful tool, a timeline of events in the ‘Ada’itxs/Fairy Creek struggle. You can view it here.
If you’d like the Word version with the links intact, please email oldfolksforoldgrowth@gmail.com, subject: Fairy Creek 2021 timeline w links.

Inspiration!

Two beautiful cello tributes to ancient forests by cellist Audrey Nadeau, filmed in Eden Grove

Big Lonely Doug, a musical apology from International Forest Day

Pender Islanders visited ‘Ada’itsx/Fairy Creek on Dec 23, bearing food and created a poem from that experience.

Christmas Eve-Eve at Fairy Creek

(by  Julia and Gregory Nicholls)

Twas the day before the day before Christmas,

When all through the land

The forest protectors continued to stand

We wanted to tell them how much we are grateful

For fighting against a destruction that’s hateful

From Pender Island we went up to thank them

And make sure they know how all of us rank them

As warriors and saviours who take a last stand

For the great Mother Trees and Indigenous land.

The highway was cluttered for last minute shopping

We drove on and on with our ears sometimes popping

Round bend after bend with the temperature dropping

The scenery was lovely but no one was stopping.

Until we arrived at our destination,

Where teepees and tents marked the location.

The base they call Roadside was all mud and slush

No one around, the area hushed.

Then, out from the tents, the Defenders appear,

Wondering if there is something to fear,

The cops, could it be, to destroy their food store,

Wouldn’t be a surprise – it’s happened before.

But in seconds their frowns turn to welcoming smiles

When they learn that these friends have come many miles

From the Penders to bring something seasonal to nourish

The friends of the planet who want it to flourish.

Unpacking the food, we shivered and shivered,

Giving a list of the feast we delivered –

Cakes, cookies, eggnog, a small shepherds’ pie,

Our offerings seemed small, the gratitude high.

Thank you! they cried, but the happiest shouts

Came for the greens – the fresh Brussel sprouts!

Little we give, when all is told,

To them who sleep in the damp and the cold.

All due to them, ancient trees are still standing

Because of them we can keep on demanding

Action to stop the insult that’s hurled

At the beautiful life of this beautiful world