Chad Mohr

CSTC member nations have witnessed the apathy and inaction of RCMP in response to acts of violence towards the Mi’kmaq people. It is the responsibility of the federal government to immediately ensure Canadian laws that protect treaty rights to earn a living from fishing are enforced.

The escalating events in the Atlantic lobster fishery dispute are further revealing a deeply flawed standard of justice that is fueled by systemic racism.

Immediate action from the highest level of government must be taken as those inciting hatred and fear have instilled and perpetuated an environment of lawlessness and little action has been taken to prosecute this criminal behavior.

CSTC works hard to build on promises of reconciliation from all levels of government and continues to support meaningful progress and respect for the rights, title and jurisdiction of it member First Nations. We stand in solidarity with Mi’kmaq communities and call on the federal government to exercise its power in upholding the constitution.

(Unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, Prince George, B.C. – Sept. 3, 2020) — Carrier Sekani Tribal Council usually conducts its research on endangered white sturgeon by sourcing Sockeye salmon to use as bait from the Lheidli T’enneh or Stellako First Nations. But salmon returns are so low this year, there isn’t enough salmon to use as bait without getting it from the grocery store. It’s a symbol of just how endangered the runs are. CSTC Fisheries Program Manager Christina Ciesielski had no choice but to purchase 30 kilograms of salmon from Save-On-Foods, in order to attract juvenile sturgeon to be studied.

“It felt criminal that we’re buying these food-grade fish from a corporation to catch an endangered species that we’re studying — when there’s people in our communities who are starving. That could have fed members of our communities,” says Ciesielski.

CSTC values its ability to trade for or buy the salmon from neighbouring First Nations. “We do it to help each other out,” says Ciesielski. “We’re First Nations and we want to support other First Nations groups. It’s what people used to do and we want to keep that alive.”

The Early Stuart Sockeye Run has been reduced to a fraction of its historical peak numbers from 500,000 salmon to what’s estimated to be 16,000 this year. The Late Stuart Run and part of the Summer Run (Stellako) are also low this year at 55,000, down from a historical peak of over 1.6 million and about half the 2015 return numbers.

Ciesielski says that without rapid investment from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to train CSTC’s member nations to run new hatcheries in their communities, those numbers won’t improve.

A recent study (2009, Levy et al.) by the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA) shows that high water, high temperatures and other migration conditions have played a big part in the decline of the Early and Late Stuart Sockeye runs. Adding to that the recent Big Bar landslide and a multitude of factors in the ocean all contributing to devastating returns.

Decades-old frozen milt brings hope for Chinook salmon revival

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In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working closely with First Nations partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, other departments such as Heath Canada, Public Safety and provincial and territorial counterparts to protect the health and safety of First Nations and support First Nations communities in responding to public health threats, including COVID-19.

To read the full version please click the links below.

English version: Self Screening Tool – visitors and returning members to communities_0403

Version français: Outil d’auto-observation – visteurs et membres revenant dans la communauté

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From Indigenous Services Canada

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Business Travel and Meeting Prohibitions and Restrictions

• A ban is now in effect on all non-essential business travel where the travel by air or rail (this does not include travel to your home office), regardless of whether your travel destination is international (outside of Canada) or domestic, but does not affect your commute to your home office.  If you have essential business travel booked, this must be approved before it is undertaken. Please direct approval requests with specific details of your planned essential business travel to Mina Holmes or John Lewis. 
• All in person meetings in the workplace with 15 people or more are now prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to, meetings that we may host, external events that our member nations may wish to host in our premises, and internal meetings and gatherings.  We encourage you to use video or audioconferencing facilities where appropriate.
• Staff and contractors are now prohibited from attending any external business events, conferences or other large gatherings when on CSTC business and where 15 or more people are in attendance, regardless of location.

CSTC would like to assure you that everyone’s collective health remains our top priority, as we continue to refine best practices in our office. It is important to utilize the highest standard in infection control procedures.

So it is most important that we all do our part to help slow the spread of this virus. By educating ourselves with the latest scientifically driven information along with advised protocol, we can make a difference.

Please take the time to become informed daily through reliable links like the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control:  http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel) and if, “Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.”