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Tsleil-Waututh oppose trade in eagle parts
Chief supports supervised harvest, but definitely not on the North Shore James Weldon jweldon@nsnews.com
A representative for the North Shore’s Tsleil-Waututh Nation says he supports the resumption of a traditional and carefully managed harvest of eagles by First Nations communities but not the trade in parts. Chief Justin George made the comments in an interview with the North Shore News Friday. His remarks followed a news conference called by a group of First Nations leaders in Vancouver Thursday afternoon at which they claimed a constitutional right to hunt bald eagles. The chiefs — George not among them — also criticized the province’s handling of an investigation into 2005 eagle poaching case that is still before the courts. “We’ve always been firm in that we respect aboriginal rights and title and ceremonial uses,” said George. “But we absolutely oppose . . . the sale of eagle remains or any animal remains for monetary gain.” That illegal trade came to the public’s attention in 2005 when 50 butchered eagle carcasses were found on Tsleil-Waututh land. The discovery triggered a wide-ranging investigation by RCMP and conservation officers that ultimately led to charges against 15 individuals, at least five of whom have since been convicted. The leaders at the conference said some of those men were entrapped. George did not comment on the particulars of that case, but said he wanted to clarify his Nation’s position on the issue. Firstly, contrary to published claims, no member of the Tsleil-Waututh was charged in connection with the trafficking case. Secondly, his community wholeheartedly opposes the kind of disrespectful practices evidenced in the butchered carcasses. “Eagles are a sacred animal . . . not just for Tsleil-Waututh, but for First Nations across North America and for non-First Nations,” he said. “To see the complete disregard . . . of cultural teachings was extremely hurtful. Our community was outraged. . . . “I’m 100-per-cent confident that there was no involvement of any Tsleil-Waututh members.” In fact, the band co-operated extensively with conservation officers in their investigation, said George. If an eagle is taken, it should be done in accordance with a strict set of protocols, as was the case in the past, he said. “There was purification that went on before going out to harvest that animal; there were certain sacrifices that an individual (made) in a spiritual place,” said George. See Eagle page 8
Digging for summer
NEWS photo Paul McGrath
CHARLOTTE Banks dives for the ball at Ambleside Beach during competitive training sessions for beach volleyball held every Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m., under the coaching of professional and national player Leah Allinger.
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