Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse has accused BC Ferries of racist practices, infringing on the human rights of SFN members. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

POWERFUL STATEMENT

Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief accuses BC Ferries of ‘racist and discriminatory path’

Jan 12, 2022 | 8:19 PM

NANAIMO — The naming of two new vessels due to sail in their traditional territory was the final straw for Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) leadership.

In a statement published Wednesday, Jan. 12, Chief Mike Wyse said BC Ferries has violated the human rights of Snuneymuxw people by choosing a “racist and discriminatory path riddled with colonial acts.”

The declaration comes after the naming of two Island-class vessels after Namgis First Nation words, the traditional lands of whom are based in Alert Bay off northern Vancouver Island.

“These new vessels live in Snuneymuxw territory and will be used on Snuneymuxw waterways,” Wyse said in the statement. “However, [Mark Collins, BC Ferries President and CEO] choose to use and apply Namgis First Nation laws and culture in Snuneymuxw Territory.”

Wyse alleged meetings recently took place with BC Ferries in a bid to address “fundamental and critical issues regarding their existing and proposed ferry operations in our territory.”

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A totem pole was proposed by the company, according to Wyse, a token which was deemed insufficient by SFN.

The statement indicated the First Nation may take further action against BC Ferries.

“These ferry operations have caused significant negative impacts to our Territory, and have infringed on our Snuneymuxw Treaty of 1854. These impacts and infringements remain unresolved.”

BC Ferries announced the names of the two ships due to sail between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island beginning later this year, in two separate ceremonies in December and on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

The Island Gwawis and the Island Kwigwis mean raven and eagle of the sea respectively in the Namgis language.

Previous vessel namings using traditional First Nations language haven’t always taken after the local First Nation where the ships will primarily sail.

When the company launched two new Island-class vessels to sail mainly between Powell River and Texada Island, traditional lands of the Tla’amin First Nation, the company christened the ships the Island Discovery and Island K’ulut’a.

K’ulut’a is a word meaning ‘porpoise’ taken from the Kwakwaka‘wakw, a First Nation on northern Vancouver Island.

BC Ferries have said their Island class ferries are interchangeable and won’t be locked to a particular route.

Spokesperson Deborah Marshall responded via email to a NanaimoNewsNOW request for comment suggesting the interchangeability of ships as the main driving factor behind naming from various Coast Salish nations.

“To name the four new Island Class vessels, we engaged with representatives from Island communities and First Nations, including the Snuneymuxw,” Marshall said. “As our vessels move around the fleet to meet operational requirements, we no longer name vessels based on geography or territories.”

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