Forests & Oceans for the Future Discussion and News

FieldNotes: for the Anthropology of British Columbia � The Musqueam Land Deal Discussed at ‘Forests and Oceans’

Contains links to background info on the Agreement.

I had an opportunity to listen to speakers at a Rally against the Musqueam land deal in Pacific Spirit Park today (Dec. 9, 2007). The rally was organized by the Friends of Pacific Spirit Park. About 250 to 300 people attend the rally. A range of speakers addressed concerns about ‘giving’ away ‘our precious park.’ Speakers emphasized that they had no problem with settling aboriginal claims; but not with ‘their’ park. After the speeches a few protesters made their way over to one of the blocks being returned to Musqueam to stake a claim on the land with signs saying save the park.

If you want to hear the speeches <a href=”http://cinema2.arts.ubc.ca/~cmenzies/podcast2/PSP_Rally_Dec_09_2007.mp3″
click here.As a researcher who works closely with First Nations, as well as a community member who values park space, it was interesting listening to the speakers express their upset at losing something they valued. For many of the speakers aboriginal title and rights appeared to be an abstract value that they appreciated intellectually. However, they experienced the park personally and emotionally. The combination of intellectual acceptance with emotional attachment lends itself to people feeling aggrieved with the reality of aboriginal title and rights. One theme that wound itself through many of the talks was the outrage that they had not been consulted. This sentiment reveals a serious lack of understanding of the basis of government-to-government talks that are at the core of all aboriginal-government relations today. And, in this process, it is the provincial and federal governments who represent the the interests of the crown.

At the end of the day the first step will have to be an acceptance by non-aboriginal people that First Nations are here to stay. If people are worried about development and conservation, perhaps it would be appropriate for them to approach Musqueam as the rightful owner of the land and to enter into discussions rather than asking the government to back away from the reconciliation agreement (which, to many First Nations people is the same as acting as though Musqueam has no inherent rights or title to this land).

I would be interested in any comments about this. The issues around aboriginal title and rights are ones that I explore through my professional practice. I have written about these issues in the past (see, Stories from home) and am considering a project focused on the park and golf course issues. Any comments on the issue would be appreciated.

Online resources:

• Musqueam Press Release on Metro Vancouver opposition to reconciliation agreement.
• CBC news story on Metro Vancouver vote.
  

• Videos of the October 2007 FSP forum have been uploaded on YouTube.
• FPSC facebook group

UBC graduate students participated in an ethnographic field school in June of 2006. These are their final reports.

• Socio-economic impacts of the implementation of fisheries quotas
  
• An examination of the introduction of Forest Range Agreements in the industry.
  
• The environmental movement in Prince Rupert
  
• Overview of services available for aboriginal women in Prince Rupert
  
• Selected profiles of Gitxaala elders and community leaders
  
• Profiles of First Nations families negotiating current economic transitions