One of the strongest arguments conservative economists make for private control of property, resources, etc. is that personal ownership makes for more careful stewardship. As can be readily seen from corporate practices, however, careful stewardship is often abandoned for short term shareholder return, etc. In the case of the Haida, ownership by those closest to home, the Haida themselves (as well as the other citizens of Haida Gwaii) would lead to the fullfilment of that goal. Good luck to the Haida in this protest, and shame to the government of Canada if it does not support them.

I support the Haida completely. They certainly can teach the rest of us a thing or too. The Haida ought to have control of the forests and all other natural resources in their area. So should all communities. De-provincialize resources and development. Leave it up to the local people to decide democratically. The only cure for government and corporate authoritarianism is direct democracy at the local level.

the best benefit for the globe is also the best benefit for the local community.native or not, keep a significant portion of the wealth generated locally in the local area.share the wealth!what happened to EVERYONE getting their fair share of the pie.

I am not as familiar with Canadian treatment of First Nations people as I am with America's treatment of Native Americans. That's because I am an American who has spent many years working with the indegenous people and studying their history. I am an adopted member of the Tlingit Nation, neighbors to the Haida. I have seen how our governments have consistently violated the treaties we made with the original inhabitants of this continent. And I have watched in horror as our governments have consistently placed economic gain over the rights of those who hold the land to be sacred.

Few dare say the word, but I will. Our treatment of the indigenous people amounts to nothing less than a North American Holocaust.

But, of course, we're not Nazis, are we?

North American Holocaust, That is a rather dim view of things, I for some reason think that living almost tax free, having the Governments lining up (it seems) to pour money into anything that has Aboriginal in the name makes me think otherwise, I wish I was a "non white" so then I could have my college degree paid for, if that is your definition of a holocaust then sign me up.

OK Frank, you're signed up. All you have to do is give up your culture, your land, your language, and your hope.

Well....there is an election coming soon (maybe even federally too) and somehow we need to get get big business out of our political parties and somehow make them acccountable to citizens. If (I do say if) the NDP manage to get control or even if they only get to be the 'opposition' we must convey to them (all parties)that citizens and community are the most important issue in their platforms. Of couse this means advocating big time to make outselves heard. Accountability needs to be the new mantra.

I think Frank is also forgetting an important point. The whole reason for treaty settlement is so that aboriginals can forgo "special" attention such as tax exemption and eventually provide for themselves economically. Unfortunately it is difficult for them to become sustainable when most of their land is owned by the Provincial Government who allows multinational corperations to expropriate profits abroad. The profits from the land should stay with the people of the land. I fully support the Haida position.

It's been my experience that people who say things like Frank has said, lack any real knowledge of the history of Canada's treatment of Native people and the complete absence of justification for "Crown sovereignty".

One of the flaws of a democratic culture is that people feel entitled to hold and to express opinions on subjects about which they have bothered to learn nothing. Even worse, they expect other people to listen to and be influenced by those opinions.

Frank, why don't you try reading a book or two on the subject before you open your ignorant yap again?

I love it, that the Haida are showing the way again. Also the Telegraph Creek group.

About that election. It's May 17 ... and we can all make a difference for the better.

Oligarchy OUT ... People IN ...

I love it, that the Haida are showing the way again. Also the Telegraph Creek group.

About that election. It's May 17 ... and we can all make a difference for the better.

Oligarchy OUT ... People IN ... Corporations OUT ... People IN ...

Great article!

The Haida Spirit is rising, about time!

re: the holocaust issue, if Frank likes movies, perhaps by viewing 'Rabbit Proof Fence' he could form a clear picture of how horrible indiginous people were treated by white settlers (and the gov't they erected). It is an Australian movie, but there are common themes (for Namerica)...residential school being the main one.

People IN!

Great article. Although I wish folks would question their use of the term "sustainability". Like the term "certainty", it has become reified to the point of being meaningless when used in relation natural resources.

Excellent website up for facts, pictures, maps...

http://www.haidanation.ca/islands/islands.html

http://www.haidanation.ca/

I find it interesting that no one has learned to let go of the past, what is the point of it all? Your land ,my land it is our land now. I think it would do all of us some good to look into the future and realize all of this will not make any differance.

The Haida have applied for an injunction. The courts refused it, presumably because the threshhold legal test of irreparable harm was not made out. So...shouldn't they deal with the matter in court in the due course of things, the rule that applies to everyone else? Whatever political views we may have, surely we agree upon the rule of law.

From the last 3+ years, it is fairly easy to see how the law is fair for all. It didn`t count when ripping up collective agreements,for example, so many of us do not have faith in the law being applied evenly with the BC Liberals in charge. Add to that the 2million or so raw logs that were exported last yea from BC, and we can say that this land is not our land. It belongs to Weyerhauser and other BC Liberal donors. Go Haida Go!!

Frankindustry, I wonder what your motivation is to comment on this article as you do? To combat an existential crisis? Perhaps to demonstrate to us what a city-boy opinion might be (I assume)?

You really challenge me. I wonder if trying to answer your questions would help your understanding at all.

What is the point of it all? Very philosophical really. It is difficult to let go of the past, this is true. Partly because it repeats itself. If a Nation of people that were reduced to 500 from a flourishing 10-70 thousand (I know, that's a big leap, but us white book writers never counted them before they got disease and died) wants to strengthen the amount of culture it still has, POWER TO THEM.

If I feel jealous because I am white and the dominant culture related to my ethnicity revolves around pop and TV, then who am I to put them down?

Rather, I choose to support diversity in this world. If history has a chance to repeat itself, the Haida, their people, songs, dances, architecture, artwork, stories, will disappear. The cedar tree is fundamental to the Haida as people, that is why they are causing a stink right now, enough is enough.

They are incredibly noble and friendly as a Nation as well, this is why the Island's people are unified and supportive. It is not just the Haida standing the blockade.

Tell me more Frank...

What is most remarkable about the situation and what is almost lost in the headlines is that the Blockade is not simply an Indigneous Peoples issue. The check points are operated by settlers and Haidas alike. The issue has grown beyond a neat and tidy package .

Aboriginal Title is becoming a vehicle for complex communities. No longer an exclusive haven for mono culture. Aboriginal Title provides an opportunity for the marginalized to challenge the status quo.
Aboriginal Title is not "Land Claims".

Should the news that Island communities have enjoyed some very substantial benefits from a decade long alliance with the Haida Nation spill out into other rural areas of BC, we may soon see other Municipalities extend a hand where once a fist would do.

New ways of thinking and working with Indigenous Peoples such as in the Municipal governments of Terrace, Masset, Port Clements
are examples of a progressive change that has few supporters in Victoria.

That is because they might understand that the most effective tool for social and political and legal shifts in Canada lies in two words.... Aboriginal Title.

Frank. How long after I steal your wallet does it become historical (i.e. my wallet)? For me, I'd say about 3 seconds.

"Whatever political views we may have, surely we agree upon the rule of law.," says Frank.

There's also the little matter of course, of whose law? My law, "our" law or the "oppressors" law? Hitler's law was the law of Germany, should all the nations it conquerored, declaring the new Hitler Law have bowed down and surrendere themselves to it? The Jews had been absent, by and large, from what was Israel for over two thousand years, when suddenly they show up in what had become Palestine, with European and other Western assistance, and declare Hebrew Law the law of the land, drive out the Palestinians and declare them "terrorists" for resisting. What is the obligation of the Palestinians here, to merely submit and resist?

You are too naive by half, or there are other "issues" you have in being "objective" about the interests of other peoples and groups. Or is it only an issue when it comes to Natives and White folks?

Nope, we don't all agree on the rule of law. The Law, like everything else, is a relative thing, and very much influenced by Power, who has it and who does not.

The check points are operated by settlers and Haidas alike. The issue has grown beyond a neat and tidy package.

An accurate and well written piece, Haida. Land, Resources and Title for Aboriginal Nations. Indeed.

Birch states:

Thing is, neither Weyerhauser nor Brascan, nor the company(s) that opbtained the orginal logging rights, actually OWN the land. It was given them by the provincial government some time ago, under the (now functionally defunct) forest tenure agreement.

http://www.kcfa.bc.ca/tenure2.html

The companies that originally obtained tenure, began selling or trading this privilege, which eventually morphed into a "right". While companies are free to buy and sell in the marketplace, the tree forest licences should never have been.

Consequently, all these companies have access to lands they never paid for, and so don't own. Had they paid "fair market value" (and not some subsidized token fee), doubtless they WOULD exercise "more careful stewardship", as it would take them at least 20-40 years to realize a profit.

But these companies practice a modified "slash and burn" piracy that we admonish such "banana republics" as Brazil, Phillipines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, et al. for practicing.

And all at the behest of our provincial governments, of which the present one is simply the most recent practitioner.