Heiltsuk Vickers Family Takes Stand for Threatened Ingram-Mooto Watershed
by Mary Vickers
 The Vickers family traveled to the threatened Ingram-Mooto watershed in Heiltsuk traditional territory on Friday, July 25, 2008.
During this time, they erected signs in the Ingram-Mooto that demand the halt of any road building and logging plans.
"The lack of consultation has left us no choice now as a family to make a move, "- Heiltsuk Vickers family statement. "It's a tough call, we as a community should be benefiting from this operation."
Bella Bella, B.C. - Located just 52km north of Bella Bella, Ingram-Mooto is in
Spiller Inlet, known to the Heiltsuk as 'Glditas Daqvu'. We
respectfully ask that our community be consulted on the economic
benefit to our Nation.
Will there be a long-term benefit to the
Heiltsuk, or just a few short-term jobs?
We would also like assurances
that the logging and road building will not damage other local
resources.
- "The short-term benefits vs.
long-term damage to the land. The fact that First Nations have to
follow EBM guidelines and Industry carries on business as usual. The
high-grading of Cedar is devastating to us as Heiltsuk."- Don Vickers,
elder/fisherman.
- "As a Heiltsuk family, we
are tired of not being told what is happening in our traditional
territories! There are many of us. We deserve an opportunity to have a
say on the impacts on behalf of future generations. I cannot again
stress the importance of Cedar and Wild salmon to our survival, as a
Nation."- Mary Vickers
For immediate Release: August 13, 2008
Contact: Mary Vickers 250-475-1024
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