First Nations announce old-growth logging deferral on Vancouver Island

A group of First Nations say they have reached an agreement to defer old-growth logging in parts of southwestern Vancouver Island for two years.

The Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations say they informed the B.C. government on Saturday of their plan to hold off on old-growth logging in the Fairy Creek and Central Walbran areas while the nations develop long-term resource plans.

“For more than 150 years they have watched as others decided what was best for their lands, water, and people,” said the Huu-ay-aht First Nation in a statement Monday. “This declaration brings this practice to an immediate end.”

Pacheedaht First Nation Chief Councillor Jeff Jones said the nations “look forward to building a future based on respectful nation-to-nation relationships with other governments that are informed by Indigenous history, Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous rights, and Indigenous priorities.”

“We ask that all peoples both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learn and move forward together and that by working together we can realize a future that is fair, just, and equitable,” Jones added.

The nations say forestry operations in other parts of their territories will continue without disruption and are asking protesters in the area to not interfere with these approved operations.

Protesters have been blockading forestry roads in the southwestern Vancouver Island region since August.

In April, the B.C. Supreme Court granted an injunction to forestry company Teal-Jones to have the blockades removed so that forestry workers could access the area for harvesting.

The protesters said Monday in a statement on their Twitter account that the announcement from the Indigenous leaders “is far short of what we need.”

“We have yet to see the exact maps but regardless it will allow for continued industrial logging of old-growth forest across southern Vancouver Island,” according to the Fairy Creek Blockade account.