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NUXALK NATION PRESS RELEASE
Nuxalk call for jobs to be created in the region, not for multinationals
9 June 1997
"First of all we would like to acknowledge Tatau, the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit, for all he has provided us since the beginning of time and still provides today."
Right from the firest time your grandparents arrived here in this valley our grandparents were friendly with them, that's the way it was in those days. The means of transportation was the river canoe. Our ancestors helped one another if there was a fire or an accident. We helped one another. Our people helped your people survive here.
Today, we still have friends here amongst you. Here in this valley we don't hate anyone. We have no intentions of hurting anyone. This has always been the way of our people. Our movement has always been that of non-violence.
Our message is to the multi-national corporations who come in and strip our forests. The way in which they come in and devastate our forests then leave withour total consideration of our future. We need to consider the future of all our children and our grandchildren who will be affected by this method of destructive clearcutting. The land has a great meaning to us. Places like Ista are very sacred to our people.
Our grandmothers have always sang the song of Ista. This place issacred as it was where the First Nuxalk women descended there. Our responsibility to protect the land comes from Manakays, the Great Spirit. When we don our dance blankets we make a statement to Manakays that we accept the responsibility that we have to speak for the bear, ravon, eagle, killer whate, salmon who will be affected by logging.
Jobs should stay in the valley for all the locals to be able to work. Raw logs should stay in Bella Coola not shipped out. Short term Multinational companies like Interfor clearcut big areas in about 5 years wheras it would take the local community 50 years.
There are people targeting Forest Action Network, Greenpeace and other environmental groups but they are not against jobs. They are our friends who have agreed to help protect our lands from clearcut logging practices.
I sincerely hope that in this statement I have not offended anyone but feel we need to respect each others beliefs and work towards one common goal which is the survival of all people.
For the future of our children, grandchildren and those yet to be born,...
Way!
NUXALK STRONG - NUXALK FOREVER