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Updated: Kingcome Inlet Dzawada’enuxw First Nation community members to deliver message to B.C. Premier about opposition to open net-pen fish farms - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Updated: Kingcome Inlet Dzawada’enuxw First Nation community members to deliver message to B.C. Premier about opposition to open net-pen fish farms

Nov 14th, 2012 7:18 AM

Media Advisory (Updated November 14, 2012) When: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 @ NOON. Where: Christy Clark, Premier and MLA for Vancouver Point Grey Constituency Office, 3615 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. What: First Nation community members from the Broughton Archipelago and supporters will deliver the message to B.C. Premier Christy Clark at her Vancouver Constituency office that they do not support renewals of open net-pen fish farm licenses (or new any new licenses) in their territory. Molina Dawson of the Dzawada'enuxw from remote Kingcome Village is among those making the trip to bring the message to Premier Christy Clark that salmon feedlots are no longer welcome. Molina's village has seen the decline in wild salmon and herring since salmon farms entered their territory. The recent Cohen Report recommends protecting wild salmon migration routes from salmon farms. Currently, the province of B.C. is pushing First Nations of this region to approve 18 more salmon farm leases. Alexandra Morton, adopted by Molina's family, will be at Molina's side to deliver an 11,800-name petition generated since Judge Cohen reported. The petition asks Premier Clark not to renew salmon farm tenures. The Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw have a longstanding opposition to salmon feedlots in their territory. Kwicksutaineuk/Ah-Kwa-Mish First Nation (KAFN) Chief Bob Chamberlin filed an earlier class action suit against Marine Harvest, the biggest salmon farmer in the world. Eviction notices served to the industry by these First Nations have been ignored. While unable to attend due to frail health, Elder Billy Robertson sent the following message: “I’m an elder of the Tsawataineuk ‘Kingcome Inlet,’ but even more so of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk 4 Tribes. I don’t want the fish farmers in our area! We need to come together and stop all the Fish Farms in our territories and NOT renew any licenses.” Contact: Anissa Reed @ 250-228-2872 or anissar@cablerocket.com to arrange interviews with event participants or John Macko, a hereditary chief of Wakeman Sound. Kingcome Inlet is located approximately 300 km NW of Vancouver. First Nations between Kingcome and Knight Inlet are being pressured to support renewal of 18 salmon feedlot tenures throughout their territory.