Elders back Haida claim

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The four Elders from the Haida Nation who travelled with the South Moresby Caravan say that the Haida Nation is the rightful heir to Ada Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands.)

"Like the great forests, the roots of our people are intertwined so that the greatest troubles cannot overcome us. On these islands our ancestors lived and died; here, too, we will make our home until called away to join them in the great beyond," they said in harmony.

The Haida owe their existence to Haada Gwaii, with their culture, their heritage being the child of respect and intimacy with the land and sea, the elders claim. From generation to generation, the Haida accept the responsibility to ensure that their heritage is passed on to following generations.

Ethel Jones, one of the Elders who was arrested at the Lyell Island road blockade last fall, said "everything I say today is from my heart, because I believe that the land is rightfully ours. If we don't protect it now our children and their children and their children are going to have nothing.

"That's why we have taken a stand. I hope you people realize that we are not doing this for fun. We are not doing this to hurt anyone.

"It's wonderful to know the people are behind this and recognize the fight is only the beginning. I hope the government would recognize us as Indians and our right to these lands. If the government recognizes our rights to these lands, our life will go on as usual," Jones said.

"I am encouraged by the support we have gotten and there is no fear in my mind about going to jail if it comes to that. I know I am doing the right thing in trying to protect our land," she calmly said.

Watson Price said, "I am a Haida, and I would like to see the logging stopped

and see that the land is preserved. The Haida lived on these lands many years, and we depended on the fish, seasweed, and berries. Today the logging is polluting the rivers and streams and there is not much seaweed and the berry grounds are being destroyed and the fish spawning grounds are being polluted or blocked by the debris from the loggers.

"Our lands are being destroyed," Price sadly said. (Price was also arrested and faces charges April 16.)

"My late father, Chief Kneezweew, used to live near the area where we had blockaded the road. When I seen the destruction done to his village and his clan it really bothered me. I am proud I made my stand at the blockade, even if it means that I may receive a jail sentence for taking part in the blockade. I go to court on April 16 in Prince Rupert," said Ada Yovanovich.

Grace Dewitt accompanied the caravan, in memory of her late husband Forrest, who passed away from exposure after praying on the steps of the B.C. Legislature Building last November. Despite the rain that day, he spent four hours praying for the Haida people (the day the Elders were arrested) and before he reached Vancouver that evening he died.

Dewitt said she knows that his prayers gave strength to the Haida Elders that day. She believes that if death is necessary to have the lands recognized as Haida land, then so be it.

The Haida challenge Canada to respect the fact that the living islands of the Haida Nation have a right to exist on this earth. All people have a place, and these lands are the Haida Nation's place. The people's support is in recognition of this truth.

"By continuing our efforts together, we will ensure that the Haida Nation's position for South Morseby becomes a reality. This position is that the forests of this area be maintained in their natural state in perpetuity," says a spokesperson from the Council to the Haida Nation.