With this month marking 10 years since the Nathan E. Stewart Oil spill, a Potlatch in Haíłzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation stressed the importance of clean waters and land in cultural identity and tradition.
Members of the RAVEN team had the honour of attending the Q̓áít Memorial Potlatch on October 8th and 9th in Bella Bella, British Columbia, the main community location for the Heiltsuk Nation.
During the Potlatch, a declaration was signed affirming the Nation’s promise to remedy harms caused by the spill and to protect Haíłzaqv coast and territory from oil-tanker traffic and other risks.
“Our fight and mission to protect our W̓áxv:w̓uísax̌v [the territory of the Haíłzaqv Nation] are threatened by accelerating political and legislative efforts to fast-track major projects without our free, prior, and informed consent.” – Haíłzaqv Declaration of Protection and Stewardship of W̓áxv:w̓uísax̌v
Although Haíłzaqv Nation reached a settlement with the tugboat company involved in the Nathan E. Stewart oil spill, the federal government is still dragging its feet. Haíłzaqv’s campaign seeks recognition that cultural losses from marine spills are real, serious, and compensable under the marine liability framework, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Nation is also raising concerns about free, prior and informed consent for projects on Indigenous lands and waters, while its damages and restoration costs remain outstanding 10 years after the spill.
Pictured: Marilyn Slett, elected Chief and Yím̓ás Q̓a̓ít Bo Reid, Hereditary Chief sign declaration.
Haíłzaqv Nation’s advocacy is about protecting a way of life, as reflected in the Potlatch: traditional dances honour water and lands, freshly caught food fed guests, and harvested goods showered newlyweds. The Potlatch was a testament to the continued flourishing of Haíłzaqv culture and the interconnectedness between land, water, and community. We must ensure that the ecosystem sustaining that culture continues to thrive too.
The Potlatch brought grief, joy, and laughter, but above all, it brought the community around a shared purpose of protecting their territory for generations to come.
Thank you, Haíłzaqv Nation and Yím̓ás Q̓a̓ít Bo Reid, for inviting RAVEN to attend a powerful community moment. We are honoured to be supporting Haíłzaqv in their fight for justice.
To support Haíłzaqv Nation in their legal challenge and help them uphold this declaration to protect their lands, please donate here.
