Chiefs vow to protect land near Bella Coola

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The fight to reclaim the forests of Ista has instead claimed its first victim. While her husband was locked behind prison walls on a charge of civil contempt of court for attempting to stop logging on King Island (Ista) near Bella Coola, B.C., Amelia Pootlass of the Nuxalmc Nation passed away.

Her death came just one day after she took part in a rally and march Oct 16 to help draw attention to her husband's and community's battle to save the territory of the Nuxalk; a place the Nuxalkmc believe was the spot where the first woman descended.

Paul Hundal, legal advisor to the Nuxalkmc said that while Pootlass had officially died of pneumonia, the stress of her people's struggle was certainly a contributing factor in her death. She collapsed during the march when it reached the logging company's offices. Ambulance attendants refused to hospitalize Pootlass, despite being told of her pneumonia, said Hundal. The next day it was too late to save her, he said.

Pootlass sat in the Supreme Court of British Columbia the morning of Oct. 16 and watched as her husband, Hereditary Chief Lawrence Pootlass, 63, along with two other hereditary chiefs, refused to sign a conditional release promising not to return to the area from which the logging company, Interfor, wanted to harvest timber.

The courtroom was filled to capacity with supporters for the three chiefs, dressed in traditional regalia, and the 18 other accused.

Lawrence Pootlass, speaking in his traditional language through a translator, said the responsibility he has for the land comes from the Creator and was set down at the beginning of time. The chief said he could not understand why he would be asked to sign a document that is directly opposed to the work governed by 'the Father'.

"We would like to go home, but we will not sign the undertaking," said Hereditary Chief Charles Nelson.

The chiefs believe it is their hereditary responsibility to protect the land and could not sign away the responsibility. Nor will they enter into any land claim talks saying their land is not for sale.

Before the three chiefs were led back into custody, Hereditary Chief Edward Moody, 48, turned to the supporters and said, "We haven't done anything wrong. There is no reason for us to be here. We want to go home." A short struggle with deputy sheriffs ensued. Nelson was dragged from the courtroom into custody, and Moody was pushed along by three officers.

At a previous court appearance Sept. 27, supporters raised their fists in a salute of solidarity. They broke into song, shed tears and shouted prayers to the chiefs.

The death of Amelia, however made short work of their stay behind bars. Pootlass, signed the undertaking so that he could tend to his wife' funeral arrangements and other affairs. The other chiefs felt a higher obligation to go back to the community and mourn with Pootlass so also signed the agreement. All accused will be back in court Dec. 4 for trial.

The group was arrested Sept. 26 when an RCMP assault force landed on the remote island off the B.C. coast. The Nuxalk had teamed up with environmentalists in early September to protest the logging of areas.

In a statement read at the rally for the chiefs on Oct. 16, Fay Edgar said "Interfor has continually raped our lands and continues to do so today. Our own forages, hunting grounds, fishing grounds, grave sites and sacred areas are being destroyed."

Our fish and animals that we need to feed our peoples are disappearing. Our food plants, medicinal plants and trees are being trampled on and destroyed. All for the corporate value of the lumber. We the Nuxalk people, Nuxalkmc, did not give Interfor permission to destroy our land and resources in this way."