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N'Quatqua blockade Portage Road at D'Arcy

Activists angered by chief's decision to enter forest, range agreement with limited consultation
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N'Quatqua members blocked the entrance to village of D'Arcy this week, protesting their chief's decision making. Photo by Cindy Filipenko

More than 20 members of the N’Quátqua band and their supporters began blockading Portage Road at the entrance to D’Arcy on Monday.

The protestors claim that their elected representatives went against the wishes of the area residents and negotiated a logging agreement between The N’Quátqua Logging Company and the Pemberton’s CRB Logging Company to allow for the removal of 81 hectares of old growth forest in CP16 near Anderson Lake. The protestors’ goal is to prevent logging trucks from entering or exiting traditional N’Quátqua territory.

The area, which was scheduled to be logged beginning on Monday, April 24, is winter range to mule deer. As well, it is a habitat for bobcats, cougars, bears, wolves and many species of birds. At least two endangered species, the rubber boa and the horned owl, are also indigenous.

On the highway sign reading "Entering D’Arcy", there is another sign, it reads: "Where are you Rich Coleman?" a reference to the forest minister. A few feet away is a similar handmade sign that reads: "Biologist Says No."

Blockade spokesperson Carol Thevarge makes it clear that what’s at stake is more than old growth timber; it’s also culture, water, animals, plant life, fish and the band’s heritage.

"This is a violation of our title and rights," said Thevarge. "There was no proper consultation process as far as we’re concerned. The majority of the membership here was never informed about the process."

Advertisements for consultation meetings were placed in publications on the other side of Anderson Lake. These newspapers do not service D’Arcy.

"The maximum number of people they say they got at a meeting was 15. We have 300."

The sole shareholder of the N’Quátqua Logging Company is Chief Harry O'Donaghey. More that 80 per cent of O’Donaghey’s constituency do not agree with his decision to enter into an agreement to log the area.

Thevarge said a vote revealed 81 per cent were against logging CP 16. Thevarge added the fact that their elected representative went ahead and signed a FRA (First Nations Forest And Range Agreement) was "a slap in the face."

A call to the N’Quátqua band office was met with a receptionist stating, "Chief and council are not commenting on the issue at this time. A press release will be coming out."

Calls placed to CRB Logging were not returned.

Protestors believe the FRA deal fails to meet the minimum standard of consultation and accommodation as described by B.C.'s Supreme Court, or by Canada's constitution, and completely fails to recognize the St’át’imc Nation as legitimate decision making authority on the land. Further, they claim that the per-capita formula of benefit sharing does not reflect the cash value of the logging operations.

"It’s a great loss to the community. It’s a loss for our mule deer range, our berry picking and natural food gathering. It’s a loss for the area’s wildlife. There are white wolves and spotted owls in that area. Our people are speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves."

"Anecdotal evidence and evidence from hunters show that there are very healthy mule deer populations. There are predators around and that’s an indication that the population is healthy," said researcher Mike Morley.

Armed with charts and photos, Morley shows aerial shots of CP16. The area was originally logged 40 years ago by First Nations’ loggers who left stands of old growth trees in place to facilitate the mule deer winter range.

"It will be catastrophic when we have our first snowfall which is between one and two feet," Morley said. "(The deer) have to expend tremendous energy to get around in the snow. Without the canopy of the old growth forest, they expend up to 150 per cent more energy. They won’t be able to get to food sources – like old man’s beard – because they won’t be there."

An independent study conducted by Philip J. Holman, a retired forest ecosystem planner for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, concluded that the minimum biological requirement for the survival of deer populations in the region was 110 ha of old growth. Clearly removing 80 ha will have a dramatic effect on the habitat.

"We don’t own this forest and it’s not for sale. It belongs to my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren," said Mariko Kage, who identified herself as a community member and the mother of four St'át'imc children.

While she sees the logging as having a negative impact on future opportunities such as eco-tourism, her first concern is over loss of heritage.

"I come from Japan where I can’t recognize my culture. I lost my homeland because it’s covered in concrete. I can’t recognize it. And I have nothing to go back to. I’m half Japanese and I still mourn that loss. I don’t want that to happen to my kids."

Aside from providing a rich hunting ground the area is important for spiritual reasons.

"My sons are 13 and 14," said Thevarge. "Soon they’ll be going up the mountain to find their names."

Finding their names is part of a Vision Quest, a four-day fast where youth sit in the mountains, alone with the elements, and enter a meditative state to discover who they are and the purpose of their lives.

Nineteen-year-old Conrad Peters plans to settle and raise a family in D’Arcy in the type of natural environment he enjoyed as a child. "I’ve spent many of my years in the forest exploring. I really want my own children and their children to be able to do the same."

Peters is clearly frustrated that his chief has effectively sold out his people.

"It’s embarrassing to elect someone who’s thinking is opposite to the people who elected him," he stated.

Peters, who says he owes his politicization to being fortunate enough to have access to discussions with some of the band’s most educated activists, intends to mobilize other youth to join the blockade.

While youthful energy is present on the blockade, elders are just as committed.

"I have heard elders say they will die before they allow them to log out our territory, and that’s a big statement," said Thevarge.

Thevarge’s mother-in-law, Mary Laura Thevarge, is one of those elders determined the roadblock will continue. "As long as I’m around, this will go on. When I first started out, I did these things for me, but now I do them for my grandchildren and great grandchildren. I come to these meetings whenever they need me."

The elder Thevarge said it’s a matter of taking care of her country. "I call it mine. We own it. It belongs to the 11 St'át'imc bands. We are all one people."