Siska First Nation Blockade Begins to Stop Watershed Destruction
10/6/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Blockade begins at Xa7zum'atKwu (Siska Creek) Siska First
Nation stops loggers from destroying watershed
Source: Forest Action Network
Pat Venditti
Box 625, Bella Coola, B.C.
604.739.4782 (Vancouver)
SISKA INDIAN BAND
Box 519, Lytton, B.C.
Tel: 250.455.2219 Fax: 250.455.2539
siskaib@mail.netshop.net
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: October 6, 1999
Lytton, B.C. Forty members of the Siska First Nation, including
elders and children, prevented workers from J.S. Jones Timber Company
from accessing Cut Permit 40 this morning. In an effort to protect
the last pristine watershed in Siska traditional territory members of
the community blocked access to the Siska Main Line Rd, 22 km
NorthEast of Highway 1, just north of Boston Bar. As workers arrived
on site at 6 AM, they were greeted by dozens of Siska singing and
drumming. A large ceremonial fire in the middle of the road
prevented trucks from passing through.
Xa7zum'atKwu, or Siska Creek, comprises some 6850 hectares situated
on the western boundary of the Cascade Mountains. The Siska people
have utilized the area for centuries and currently occupy reserve
lands at the confluence of the creek and the Fraser River.
Logging of the watershed began in August, and a total of 7 Km of road
have been built into the area. Falling and hauling have begun in the
first cutblock, an area of around 30 hectares.
"We are standing here today to protect Xa7zum'atKwu, the last
pristine area in our traditional territory," said Fred Sampson, a
Councillor from the band. "We have exhausted all possible avenues of
discussion with both the government and the company and are here
today to make sure our land is protected for our children and grand-
children.
It is criminal that the government is allowing the clear-cutting of
our forests against the will of our people."
The watershed is the southern-most pristine valley in British
Columbia and is home to a variety of animal species, including the
red-listed mountain beaver and the blue-listed tailed frog and the
giant spotted pacific salamander. Twenty-six Culturally Modified
Cedar Trees (CMTs) were found within just one approved cut-block are
scheduled to be cut. The area also provides a valuable mushroom-
picking area for local residents. Full biological and cultural
assessments have yet to be undertaken in the area.
J.S. Jones Timber Company recently announced its intention to
permanently close its mill in Boston Bar at the beginning of next
year. They have been found guilty of numerous infractions of the
Forest Practices Code and are responsible for some of the worst
logging in the Southern Interior of the province.
For More Information, or to arrange an interview ON SITE please
contact: Maurice Michelle, Siska Indian Band at 250.455.2219.