Urgent solidarity rally in support of the Heiltsuk Nation - TODAY March 31st - 3pm
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 13:56
- Written by editor
https://www.facebook.com/events/732117183571400/
Join us on Tuesday 3- 6pm March 31st at the Save-On-Foods 1950 Foul Bay Rd, Victoria, BC V8R 1S8 to block the store and stand in solidarity with the Heiltsuk Nation to stop the commercial sac roe fishery in area 7.
To support the Heiltsuk Nation’s opposition to the commercial herring kill-fishery, we are calling for a boycott of all businesses owned and operated by the Jim Pattison Group, which can be found on their website (http://www.jimpattison.com).
As coastal First Nations we rely on the ocean to sustain our way of life not grocery stores. The Jim Pattison Group is threating our way of life by their involvement in the commercial herring-kill fishery. The Jim Pattison Group ventured into the food industry to fulfill its stated goal: “to nourishing families”. Therefore, are asking for your support in boycotting all grocery stores owned by the Jim Pattison Group to call on Jim Pattison to uphold his stated goal to “nourishing families” by complying with the Heiltsuk Nation’s call for a sustainable fishery.
In particular, we will be boycotting their grocery stores: Overwaitea Food Group, Save-On Foods, Western Family, Quality Foods, Buy Low Foods, Nesters Market, Van-Whole Produce, Urban Fare, & Ocean Brands – to name a few.
Currently two DFO offices in Vancouver and on Denny Island have been occupied to demonstrate solidarity held with the Heiltsuk Nation’s complete opposition to the department’s decision to open the commercial herring roe fishery.
Canfisco is owned by the Jim Pattison Group, which owns the majority of the seine and gillnet fleet/boat and commercial herring licenses on the coast. Canfisco’s involvement in the opening of the commercial herring fishery in Heiltsuk territory clearly goes against their stated claims to support effective resource management.
A week ago today on March 23, 2015 the Heiltsuk Nation sent the Jim Pattison Group an open letter, requesting their compliance with the Heiltsuk’s conservation efforts for their herring stocks. In this letter the Heiltsuk explained and emphasized the necessity for prohibiting all commercial seine and gillnet sac roe herring fishing. The Heiltsuk Nation requested the closure of Area 7 on the Central Coast from fishing for 2015. Today, after opening area 7 to commercial fishery, the Heiltsuk reiterated their stance:
“There is not enough stock to warrant a gill net fishery in area 7. Heiltsuk will remain on lockdown until there is a closure in area 7. We are standing in solidarity to protect the herring for our future generations and to protect our way of life. We will not let industry call the shots or jeopardize our future. The seine fishery was an illegal Fishery done without consultation with Heiltsuk. ”
Join us on Tuesday 3- 6pm March 31st at the Save-On-Foods 1950 Foul Bay Rd, Victoria, BC V8R 1S8 to block the store and stand in solidarity with the Heiltsuk Nation to stop the commercial sac roe fishery in area 7.
https://www.facebook.com/events/732117183571400/
For more information contact Jessica Brown This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 778-678-8025