The Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) council decided Monday it will hold a referendum among Band members on the question of whether to approve or oppose Pan Pacific Aggregates' proposed mining operations within the Sechelt Nation's traditional territory.
The decision came one week after elders met with council to express their concerns about PPA's proposal, citing potential environmental and cultural destruction. The elders have asked the chief and council to oppose Pan Pacific's project until the Sechelt Nation's land claims are settled.
"We have to have a say in what is happening with our people," Theresa Jeffries told Coast Reporter during an elders' meeting last Friday. "We will make sure we are heard this time; we will make our feelings known."
Speaking on behalf of the elders, Valerie Bourne said, "We are the people. We have always cared for our lands. It was our ancestors who taught us how to look after our land. Today, we are here to teach our children, just like our elders have taught us, to protect our lands."
The specific concerns include potential health effects from a mine, more roads along Sechelt Inlet and pressure on Skookumchuck, environmental impacts from an open-pit mine and depletion of water resources. In addition, the Band is concerned their Aboriginal rights of access to hunting, fishing, gathering of medicines, gathering of food plants and spiritual activities would be impacted.
"This is the first time we are really voicing our opinion, because enough is enough," Bourne said.
Chief and council signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PPA on Oct. 14, 2005. The without prejudice clause of the MOU includes the statement: "This MOU is intended as an interim measure to enable the parties to address the Shishalh Nation's Aboriginal rights, while the Shishalh Nation attempts to resolve its claims in a court of law or through the process of negotiation or by some other means."
It states the two parties will "conclude the terms and conditions contained as a result of this agreement within a six month timeframe" and that "notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate this MOU on thirty days notice to the other." The MOU has reached its six months' term and has not yet been renewed due to an oversight, according to Chief Stan Dixon.
"It may be premature to hold a referendum but council voted to hold a vote before the 15th of June," Dixon said in an interview Monday. "Today the council said we must hold a referendum." In the meantime, chief and council will continue meeting with PPA to gather information on its mining proposal.
"Council suggested we can still meet with PPA to get as much information as we can before the referendum date," Dixon added.
The referendum date will be set soon, and 30 days notice will be given.
"The reason council is going to the vote is because the situation is so complex that we have to find out the proper answers to questions," Dixon said.
The referendum outcome will be binding on council's decisions, he confirmed. Council has not yet established the exact wording of the referendum question.
