MEDIA ADVISORY
Solidarity Rally – End Fish Farms in the Broughton Archipelago
Date: Thursday, September 7, 2017
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Place: Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Pl

On September 7, 2017 the BC NDP Cabinet will meet with First Nation leaders at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance will hold a rally in solidarity with Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, ‘Namgis and Mamalilikulla people who are occupying two open net pen fish farms to assert their Indigenous rights and responsibilities to steward their unceded territory and fishing resources. They will occupy those fish farms until the farms are removed from their territory. We are calling on the BC Cabinet to exercise provincial jurisdiction to revoke licenses of occupation given to those fish farms in their territories, thus putting an end to 30 years of fish farm violations of their Indigenous rights, resulting in a meaningful act of reconciliation, and would be in the best public interest. They have never given their consent to have fish farms in their territory and have served eviction notices several times yet they are still there. A press conference will be held at the rally. Speakers include: Chief Willie Moon of Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Chief Bob Chamberlin, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, Chief Wayne Christian of Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and Chief Aaron Sam, Lower Nicola Indian Band. We expect at least 100 people to show up for this event.

The Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance will hold a rally in solidarity with Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, ‘Namgis and Mamalikulla people who are occupying two open net pen fish farms to assert their Indigenous rights and responsibilities to steward their unceded territory and fishing resources. They will occupy those fish farms until they are removed from their territory.

We are calling on the BC Cabinet to exercise provincial jurisdiction to revoke licenses of occupation given to those fish farms in their territories, thus putting an end to 30 years of fish farm violations of their Indigenous rights, resulting in a meaningful act of reconciliation, and would be in the best public interest. They have never given their consent to have fish farms in their territory and have served eviction notices several times yet they are still there.

We need just as many people to show up if not more at this rally as the one 6 years ago! Fish farms are killing wild species, and they are degrading their marine environment. Both levels of government need to see the truth and remove them from the ocean. This is in the best interest of all British Columbians and the natural environment!

A press conference will be held at the rally. Speakers include: Chief Willie Moon of Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Chief Bob Chamberlin, Kwicksut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, Chief Wayne Christian of Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and Chief Aaron Sam, Lower Nicola Indian Band.

Contact:
Eddie Gardner, President
Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance
Skwah First Nation member
604-792-0867 (H)
604-316-2607 (C)
email: singingbear-AT-telus.net