AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde Supports First Nations in Their Stand Against BC Salmon Farms, Crown Must Respect First Nations Rights, Title and Jurisdiction

OTTAWA, Sept. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde supports First Nations in British Columbia who are peacefully occupying salmon fish farms and asserting inherent rights and title in their lands and waters.

"I stand with First Nations in BC in their long struggle with federal and provincial governments to fully recognize and address the threat of salmon fish farms to wild salmon," said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. "The AFN fully supports First Nations in their assertion and exercise of inherent rights and title. First Nations have long identified the threat of the fish farm industry to wild salmon that have sustained our Peoples for generations. Wild salmon is an integral part of the ecosystem and a central part of First Nations cultures on the west coast. This situation presents a clear opportunity for both the federal and provincial governments to respect and act on their obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples including the standard of free, prior and informed consent. It is time for the Crown to meet with the affected First Nations and resolve this matter."

Citizens and leadership of the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw are at the Wicklow Point salmon farm, and citizens from the 'Namgis, Tlowitsis and Mamalilikulla First Nations are on Swanson Island while other First Nations are providing support.

The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.  Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations

Jamie Monastyrski, Press Secretary - National Chief's Office, 613-241-6789 ext. 222, 343-540-6179 (cell), [email protected]; Michael Hutchinson, Communications Officer, 613-241-6789 ext. 254, 613-299-6330 (cell), [email protected]; Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-241-6789 ext. 382, 613-292-0857 (cell), [email protected]