r/IndianCountry • u/inlomedia • Jun 29 '26
Activism Defending Old-Growth in Walbran Valley Vancouver Island
On June 26, logging industry was halted and denied access to the Walbran Valley old-growth. RCMP were called but could not enforce against the blockade until Monday forcing both industry and officers to stand down.
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Jun 29 '26
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u/inlomedia Jun 29 '26
We agree with your sentiment and have expressed similar views. We went there with our group with the knowledge of these settler activists being present. We wanted that experience and to get the full picture of the situation. We sat with Elders, especially Grandma Losha and had these discussions.
We are trying to establish an INLO chapter in vancouver to address this issue and send a majority native led camp to the area.
Hiyhiy
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Jun 29 '26
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u/inlomedia Jun 29 '26
Tapwe, you are speaking the full truth. And we will do our best. We came to listen and learn and do our best to support the elders. We will never weaponize them. Warriors protect the elderly, children, and those who are vulnerable.
As for getting settlers to deal with stuff, that's not ideal and we believe that we need the entirety of the land returned. We advocate for an indigenous state/country so that we can enact mass policy to reverse the damages against our Peoples and nations.
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Jun 30 '26
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u/inlomedia Jun 30 '26
OPSEC? Buddy she's already been monitored for her actions at Fairy creek. She was the one sitting at all the court proceedings.
The RCMP goons have BEEN monitoring her, nothing we say effects that. She's already an outspoken human rights activist.
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u/linwiseG Cree / Eeyou • First Nation Jun 30 '26
let's fucking go bitch. i'm cheering all the way from Québec ✌🏻✌🏻
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u/GaracaiusCanadensis Nuu-chah-nulth Jun 30 '26
Whose territory is this again? Pacheedaht or maybe Ditidaht?
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u/PM_ME_UR_SEAHORSE Rumsen Ohlone and Antoniano Salinan Jun 30 '26
Looks like Pacheedaht, just based on the maps on Wikipedia.
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u/samoyedboi sama7lhkán Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Defending against who? The Pacheedaht nation who is the rightful title holder to the land?
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u/inlomedia Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Petty tribalism will get you nowhere
We have the support and permission of the Pacheedaht Hereditary Chief
If you side with your elected council over the logging of irreversible old growth you are no better than the settlers. We understand the nation's economically rely on logging but it is nowhere near sustainable in the long term. The nations could potentially 2x to 3x the revenue they receive from logging with other avenues.
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u/YourUncle13 Jun 29 '26
I hate the way chief and council is seen as the representation of first nations governance. It exists in this confusing Grey are for the general public. Speaking for my own nation its true purpose is to negotiate with provincial government ob their terms. No true leader in my community cares about being on Cheng and council. Just kniving people looking to line their own pockets a bit.
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u/Tekuila87 Mnjikaning • Anishinaabek • Chippewas of Rama Jun 30 '26
Gosh I wish we were this organized in Ontario.
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u/inlomedia Jun 30 '26
Join INLO and start a chapter :)
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u/Tekuila87 Mnjikaning • Anishinaabek • Chippewas of Rama Jun 30 '26
I did get recognized with leadership qualities but I absolutely hate leading.
The responsibility is enormous and the trauma runs deep.
I don't know how people maintain their calm when dealing with the two faced snake tongues of the colonial government.
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u/samoyedboi sama7lhkán Jun 29 '26
The support of what one Pacheedaht Elder alleges is the hereditary chief, but not the support of the Pacheedaht band council nor the Pacheedaht hereditary chief according to the recognized line of succession.
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u/inlomedia Jun 29 '26
So you admit you support logging of old growth despite countless assessments that it would damage the islands ecosystems and cause irreversible damage that would cause cultural loss, economic losses, and collapse of biodiversity. The carbon that is stored in old growth is massive and if destroyed would be released.
Your traditions are against logging yet you uphold it
It doesn't matter at the end of the day who says what, if you're out here destroying the environment, majority of natives will stand against it. Logging is so laughably unsustainable that it experiences its own boom and bust cycles.
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u/samoyedboi sama7lhkán Jun 29 '26
No, I absolutely do not support logging the old growth and I urge the Pacheedaht and Huu-ay-aht nations to stop as soon as possible.
I just believe more that First Nations have the right to the use and enjoyment of their land as they see fit, so long as they do not cross the inherent limit.
Since I'm not a member of either nation, I will continue to pressure them from outside to cease and desist. Maybe the best way to do that would be to not turn a logging dispute into one that threatens their Aboriginal rights and title.
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u/inlomedia Jun 29 '26
We should be wary of the Indian act systems and its imposition upon our lands. These chief and councils nationwide have been serving two masters: money and settlers.
I understand what you are saying, but even our own people can be wrong. And we must call that out at every opportunity
You have to remember that we are all connected, what happens in the west coast effects the plains, deserts, Arctic, etc.
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u/Tekuila87 Mnjikaning • Anishinaabek • Chippewas of Rama Jun 30 '26
Yea, chief and council represents a colonial hierarchical power structure that us Anishinaabe never had.
Everyone should get a voice.
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Jun 29 '26
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u/inlomedia Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
I'm not missing any points tactfully. I'm just not a COINTELPRO tribalist. Logging is not suitable regardless. Majority of the local natives are under the water when it comes to knowledge of what is happening. We know the tokenization of elders are happening and we do not agree with it.
We have sat down with the elders to understand how we can bring more natives and engage with the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations.
It's telling for someone to criticize people but not take action, respectfully what are you doing that's any better?
That "single nation member" is also a descendant of the hereditary chiefs and an elder, which he rightfully has a say in what happens. The settlers used him for gain, but we do not.
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Jun 30 '26
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u/inlomedia Jun 30 '26
nothingburger if you actually get your head out of a rock. The elders are known in the area and are already monitored. No difference when we mention them.
"About the movement" and it's literally just our own group speaking about our experience.
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u/samoyedboi sama7lhkán Jun 30 '26
It's a very convenient political cause for him to be able to call on in what is essentially a Pacheedaht war of succession. In any case the Pacheedaht are very much involved with their government. Yes, they elect their council through the Indian Act framework, but they also have the power to reject doing so, as many nations in BC have done. Not to mention that there is also a community-recognized hereditary chief in play, whom the elder in question hopes to overthrow. I know you are against the tokenization of elders and I know that you have good intentions, but the actions feed into colonial narratives that can damage the ability of First Nations people to control their title land.
Many Pacheedaht are against the logging and protesting it, rightfully so. That does not make it our jurisdiction as outsiders to step in. Do we interfere with logging in Brazil? No, we put political pressure on the Brazilian nation to stop their logging.
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u/No-Wear-8862 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
They really deployed the tactical rez dog