Latest Updates
Letter to the Tofino Chamber of Commerce
In 1988 Clayoquot Sound was impacted by the Nestucca Barge fuel oil spill. This photo shows volunteers cleaning up at Chesterman Beach after the oil spill slick became dispersed from Oregon state to Vancouver Island. Dear businesses, residents, and tourists of Clayoquot Sound and the Pacific Rim: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vacationed in Tofino, Clayoquot Sound in 2016 and 2017. Our understanding is that he is planning to vacation here again this summer, potentially as...
2018 Summer Newsletter is here!
The summer 2018 edition of our twice-yearly newsletter is out, with articles including: Big Wins for Environmental Justice Salmon Solidarity Update: Washington Salmon Farm Ban & New Evictions from Coastal First Nations “So Many People Giving A Damn”: War in the Woods Resonates 25 Years Later Still No Legal Consequences For The Worst Mining Disaster In Canadian History BC’s Biggest GHG Emitter? plus updates on our campaigns, and action items for you to take forward. Take a read and please...
Why I confronted Justin Trudeau on Vacation in Clayoquot Sound
In September 2016, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation wrote Trudeau to tell him he was no longer welcome until his bureaucracy started reflecting the promise of reconciliation with First Nations. On Saturday, August 5, 2017 Trudeau showed up in Tofino before his vacation, within Tla-o-qui-aht territory. First he met with municipal and regional leaders, and then with First Nation leaders. In the spirit of reconciliation and healing, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation welcomed Trudeau back into the...
“So Many People Giving a Damn”
War in the Woods Resonates 25 years later with New Environmental Battle on B.C. Coast edited from full article by Megan Thomas 25 years on, Joe Martin says the War in the Woods has stood the test of time. "All these mountains would be bare by now if we didn't stop it," he says, getting back to work carving a canoe from a tree that may well have been spared by the battle for Clayoquot Sound. At its peak in 1993, the War in the Woods drew celebrities and focused international attention on the...
Crown Decision to Quash Mount Polley Private Prosecution Makes No Sense
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1st, 2018 How can the worst tailings pond disaster in Canadian history not have legal consequences? The BC Prosecution Service announced Tuesday that they were taking over and quashing the private prosecution of Mount Polley Mining Corporation over the tailings dam disaster. The charges were laid by Bev Sellars, Grandmother, former Chief of Xat’sull First Nation (Soda Creek), author, and indigenous advocate. Sellars laid private charges against the company on...
Winter 2017 – 2018 Newsletter Is Out Now!
The Friends of Clayoquot Sound Winter 2017 – 2018 Newsletter is out with an in-depth look at the major issues in Clayoquot Sound and the work we have been doing over the last several months, including updates on our campaigns. Click this link to read the FOCS Winter 2017 - 2018 newsletter Articles found in this newsletter include: Why I confronted Justin Trudeau on Vacation Clayoquot Salmon Festival Hosts Dr. Kristi Miller Protecting Wild Salmon Through Unity & Celebration Salmon...
Ancient Rainforest Logging in Clayoquot Sound’s Intact Valleys
FOCS Campaigner, Jeh Custerra, monitoring logging near Virgin Falls in Clayoquot Sound. Friends of Clayoquot Sound recently submitted a letter as part of the Clayoquot Sound Conservation Alliance to provide input on Ma-Mook’s Tree Farm License 54 Management Plan #5 as per the public comment period. Many of the intact old growth forest areas in Clayoquot Sound remain in the timber harvesting land base of Plan #5. These areas include the intact old growth forest valleys of Satchie,...
Frontlines Update at the BC Legislature
- Voices from the Salmon Frontlines at the Circle at the BC Legislature. Photo: Indigenous Solidarity Working Group. “For 30 years we have been saying ‘No!’ to fish farms, and for 30 years we have been watching salmon returns decline. My relatives have no fish in their freezers,” emphasized Sherry Moon, of the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw. “Enough is enough!” On November 2nd, Chiefs and members from the Namgis, Lawitisis, Mamalilikala and Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw, Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis and...
Indigenous Advocate Files Charges Against Imperial Metals Over Canada’s Biggest Mining Spill
- Imperial Metals Mount Polley Mine Disaster from August 4, 2014. Photo: Common Sense Canadian. On the third anniversary of the Mount Polley mine disaster, and deadline for Provincial charges, August 4, 2017, Indigenous advocate Bev Sellars filed a private prosecution against Imperial Metals Mount Polley Mining Corporation at the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Vancouver. Sellars was Chief of Xat’sull First Nation when the disaster struck near her community 3 years earlier and needs...
SALMON SOLIDARITY TAKES AIM AT FISH FARMS
- Fish Farm occupiers and supporters at Swanson Island Worker Camp reclamation. More than 30 fish farms owned by Cermaq or Marine Harvest operate in Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw territory within the in the Broughton Archipelago. The Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, ‘Namgis and Mamalilkala First Nations have never given their consent to open-pen Atlantic salmon feedlots operating in their territory and are now demanding that the provincial government to respect their traditional fishery and have the fish...
2017 Clayoquot Salmon Festival Wrap up
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! With over 700 attendees, the 2017 Clayoquot Salmon Festival was a total success. Salmon play an integral role in coastal livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems in Clayoquot Sound. Salmon lead incredible lives, starting in fresh water then migrating to the ocean. Salmon stay at sea for years before their homing instincts guide them back, to the freshwater systems they were conceived in, to reproduce. Celebrating this magnificent species is what inspired Friends of...
Clayoquot Salmon Festival 2017 is here!
Cypress Che Seitcher is FOCS new Summer Student!
Please join FOCS in welcoming Cypress Che Seitcher to the FOCS team as our new summer student and the Earth Keepers Organizer! Here is an introduction from Cypress: “My name is Cypress Che Seitcher. l live on planet earth and I am Tla-o-qui- aht First Nation living in Ty-Histanis . My father, Terry Doward, is the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Coordinator. I enjoy being in the forest and building trails with him. I'm passionate about skateboarding, playing drums, guitar, and listening to music....
Trail Building sessions in Clayoquot Sound
FOCS has launched this year's Trail Building with Friends program, aimed at supporting First Nations’ management of trails found within Clayoquot Sound. We have now completed two of the three trail building sessions scheduled for 2017. The first session was a huge success and it took place on June 17 - 19 at the Wild Side Trail (Flores Island) where participants helped clearing a path forward through overgrown wild salal bushes. The second session brought together over 25 participants on July...
FOCS Endorse Unsettling 150: Call to Action by Defenders of the Land and Idle No More
IDLE NO MORE & DEFENDERS OF THE LAND: CALL TO ACTION UNsettling Canada 150 In honour of Arthur Manuel, we call for a National Day of Action in support of Indigenous self-determination over land, territories, and resources UNsettling Canada 150: Video Webinar 1 Webinar 2 Upcoming Events July 1, 2017 On January 11, 2017, our mentor, colleague, friend and brother, Arthur Manuel passed onto the spirit world at the age of 65. Arthur Manuel was organizing to defend his Secwepemc peoples’ and all...
