US got it right, B.C. left in lurch

Coincidental with the arrival of your Aug. 6-12 issue, which contains the editorial “United we fall,” I received in the mail a glossy brochure promoting the Clayoquot Sound United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve.

Never mind places such as New Caledonia, mentioned in your article; it has happened right here in British Columbia. Early last year, this area of 350,000 hectares, rich in mineral resources (including the multi-million-ton Catface deposit), was designated, without any semblance of democratic process, as a world biosphere reserve.

An interesting feature of this brochure is a colour-coded map that outlines areas designated as “protected” or “buffer” or “transition” zones. These correspond almost exactly with the (at the time) New Democratic Party provincial government’s Land Use Decision map of April 1993. Only their terminology is different using, in place of the last two designations, “integrated management” and “social management,” respectively.

Meares Island, with an area of 8,000 hectares centrally located in the reserve, is shown as being not within the Biosphere Reserve. The reason for this is not explained, but I can explain it. It was in fact, given to First Nations by the former NDP government. This came about when aboriginal land claims were used as a device to prevent paper manufacturer MacMillan Bloedel from logging its timber tenure on the island. The case was slated to be tried in the Supreme Court of British Columbia with representatives from certain native bands versus the government of British Columbia and MacMillan Bloedel.

However, it never went to court. After considerable stalling on behalf of the natives, the government fired the legal firm [Russell and Dumoulin] that had built up a strong case in favour of the taxpayers and the company, and effectively gave the island to the First Nations.

Another interesting feature of the above-mentioned brochure is the statement that “the UNESCO designation acknowledges aboriginal title and rights, and does not prejudice ongoing treaty negotiations.” What about the present B.C. Liberal government’s avowed intention of holding a plebicite on this issue? Is that not being prejudiced?

To the Americans mentioned in your editorial who are resisting this imposition of foreign control, I would say: keep it up. It appears to be too late for us.

Walter Guppy

Tofino, B.C.