Nations extend reserve into park

Page 1

The federal government and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation have settled on terms that would allow precedent-setting expansion on the Esowista reserve inside the boundaries of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The Esowista reserve, located on a long beach on the south side of Schooner Cove, has been the focus of numerous protests as over-crowded families sought relief.

For the past two-and-one-half years, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation leaders have been negotiating with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Parks Canada for expanded reserve boundaries. This normally simple negotiation process was complicated by the fact the reserve is inside the boundaries of an ecologically endangered federal park.

The new reserve will be slightly north of the current beachfront reserve, and will have room for 160 houses as well as a village centre complex.

"The process towards this day has been a long one," said Chief Councillor Moses Martin. Band negotiators worked with engineers to develop a physical infrastructure plan for the old and new Esowista reserves and develop engineering feasibility studies and environmental impact assessment plans.

They took a number of factors into consideration before mapping out the boundary including: airport approaches, bogs, bear denning zones, existing trails, old growth trees, wildlife travel corridors, and spruce fringe ecosystems.

The Esowista Community Expansion Plan includes a land use plan and community plan featuring a village centre, playing fields, a longhouse-styled community centre and administration buildings. There is also an option for Elder's housing and multifamily housing for young adults and seniors.

Many band members have had to move away from home because of the lack of housing, while others chose to live in overcrowded houses just to stay at home.

"At this time of year, as the weather warms up, many of our people start pitching tents on their front lawns, moving the kids outside so the parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents can have a bit more room in their houses," said Martin.

"We realize there is an urgent need to improve housing and social situations," said John Watson, regional director general for Indian Affairs. "This is a unique situation and represents more than a routine agreement. This is an extremely significant commitment to work with the Tla-o-qui-aht to develop a sustainable, model community."

The signing of the agreement on June 18 marks a new era of intergovernmental relations said Councillor Simon Tom.

"This day will be forever remembered in history as the day Canada took a huge step towards righting a historic wrong," he said.

"Our team worked really hard to get the job done and not pass the responsibility on to future generations," said Councillor Elmer Frank.

"We now have the tools to begin improving the quality of life for all Tla-o-qui-aht," said Martin. "It will take a lot of work to remove doubts that are still out there, to prove this expansion is not a mistake. With success comes responsibility. We will make this work," he said to the cheers of the more than 150 people gathered for the signing ceremony.

Plans are also underway for the development of a Tla-o-qui-aht cultural interpretive centre to assist in the education of the 1.2 million tourists that visit the area each year. "We'd love to have a place where we could stand up and tell our story," said Martin. "To be heard, to be seen, and to have our ancestors seen as we see them. This could bring us pride, affirmation, and add strength to our language, culture and community," he said.

"This project will maintain local ecology and parks values," said Watson. "It proves that human and parks values can co-exist."

"They say you never feel so alive as when you do the right thing," said Alex Zellermayer, manager of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. "Which is why it feels so good to be here today," he said.

After a salmon feast, Alex Zellermayer was rminded he predicted the process,if it was to be successful at all, would take a minimum of six years to negotiate, more than double the time it actually took. Tla-o-qui-aht leaders then presented federal government and Nuu-chah-nulth representatives with blue beads as a gesture of thanks.

"We're giving you a few blue beads for the land," joked Hisuumchitl (Barney Williams Jr.) when he presented the gifts to Zellermayer, John Watson, Eric Denhoff (federal treaty negotiations office) and Allan Latourelle (Parks Canada).