Chief Dave Wright Speaks Attention: James Smith First Nation
November, 2019.
Chief Wally Burns, Band Council and all members of James Smith First Nation,
I write to you today with the greatest respect and a pure heart. I hold no ill will toward you nor any person.
I do, however have a concern, one that is in common with some of your concerns. As I understand the situation, there has been a significant mineral discovery in the Fort-a-la-Corne
Provincial forest just north of your community which lies adjacent to, and just outside, this
Provincial game management area. If the discovery leads to a mine on this public land, there will potentially be a negative impact to your, and my, traditional access to some of the area. Hunting, gathering, loss of access, and loss of what may have had a traditional spiritual
connection.
I too have hunted on this land, and so did my father before me. My family has harvested game and wild berries on the land, and taken sustenance. I camp there almost every year and gain my own spiritual re-connection with nature. It holds a special place in my soul.
If this mine is developed, it will reduce access to about 3% of the forest. Both your people and mine will lose this.
I understand that the Province has proposed to grant your community exclusive access, and the right to co-manage, the portion of the forest east of #6 highway in compensation for your loss.
This area is about 20% of the total land in that forest. Up until now, both your community and my elders, peers, family and friends have had access there. It is in that portion of the forest that we camp every year.
So, your community could lose access to 3% of the forest, but gain exclusive access to 20% that, up till now, our communities have shared. If this proposal is adopted, my family will lose much more than yours as I may lose that additional 20% in addition to the 3% that the mine will take.
I hope that your community will be willing to allow my family on-going access to the eastern portion of the forest, and that land we have also traditionally used for generations. I have a sincere spiritual connection to that place. I come there to re-connect with myself. A sort of personal healing. We are not so different; not as much as some may believe.
I wish you and your community all the best, and hope that the advantages that development may bring far outweigh the costs. Perhaps we can meet one day, and shake hands. I bear no ill will, I bear no arms.
Respectfully,
Dave Wright.