Two new ferries set to begin service on Snuneymuxw First Nation91裸聊视频檚 traditional territory on Vancouver Island, were named in consultation with a different First Nation, and that doesn91裸聊视频檛 sit well with Snuneymuxw91裸聊视频檚 chief.
BC Ferries announced Tuesday, Jan. 11, that the second Island-class ferry to be used on the Nanaimo harbour-Gabriola Island route will be called Island Gwawis, named with the support of 91裸聊视频橬amgis First Nation.
Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse issued a statement the next day, Jan. 12, saying he was 91裸聊视频渟addened and frustrated91裸聊视频� that BC Ferries91裸聊视频� leadership has 91裸聊视频渄ecided to choose a racist and discriminatory path riddled with colonial acts that is woefully inflammatory and offensive to building a relationship between us.91裸聊视频�
A press release from SFN mentioned 91裸聊视频渟everal executive meetings91裸聊视频� between Snuneymuxw and BC Ferries. Wyse said the ferry company proposed building a totem pole, while Snuneymuxw, he said, wanted to 91裸聊视频渞esolve fundamental and critical issues regarding their existing and proposed ferry operations in our territory.91裸聊视频� He said ferry service in and around the four local terminals has caused 91裸聊视频渟ignificant negative impacts to our territory91裸聊视频� and has infringed on treaty rights.
Wyse says the ferry company91裸聊视频檚 choice to apply 91裸聊视频橬amgis First Nation culture in Snuneymuxw territory violates human rights and contravenes the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
91裸聊视频淚 fully intend to use all remedies available to our people to rectify this issue, urging BC Ferries to discontinue their divisive and colonial behaviour against our nation,91裸聊视频� Wyse said.
A BC Ferries social media post on Tuesday noted that 91裸聊视频渙ur six Island-class vessels are interchangeable and will not be dedicated to one specific route, but rather they will serve the coastal communities together.91裸聊视频�
BC Ferries91裸聊视频� press release announcing the name of the new ship said the name Island Gwawis, which means raven of the sea, 91裸聊视频渃elebrates the cultural connection between the original mariners of the coastal waters and the communities the vessel will soon serve.91裸聊视频�
In an e-mail, Deborah Marshall, BC Ferries spokesperson, said the names of the ships aren91裸聊视频檛 related to territories and routes on which they may operate.
91裸聊视频淭he ships are identical, standardized and interoperable,91裸聊视频� Marshall said. 91裸聊视频淎s our vessels move around the fleet to meet operational requirements, we no longer name vessels based on geography or territories. Several Indigenous nations and communities, including Snuneymuxw, were invited to engage in the name selection process.91裸聊视频�
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