By Canadian Press

B.C. First Nations and logging firm want Walbran Valley old-growth blockade to end

Sep 11, 2025 | 12:11 PM

VANCOUVER — The Pacheedaht First Nation on Vancouver Island says a blockade opposed to old-growth logging on its traditional territory in the Walbran Valley near Port Renfrew, B.C., is undermining its authority and should disband.

The First Nation says in a statement that forestry is a “cornerstone” of its economy, and is calling for the blockaders to “stand down and leave.”

It comes after Tsawak-qin Forestry Inc., a firm co-owned by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Western Forest Products Inc., says in a lawsuit filed last week in B.C. Supreme Court that “a group of largely unknown individuals” began the blockade of a road on Aug. 25.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt the blockade, alleging it’s wrongfully preventing Tsawak-qin and its contractors from “engaging in lawful forestry activities” on Pacheedaht territory.

Benjamin Isitt, a lawyer for Pacheedaht elder Bill Jones, who opposes the logging activity, says the injunction application was heard in court Thursday morning, but the judge reserved her decision until Friday.

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Isitt says Jones has also filed a legal challenge against the Pacheedaht First Nation in Federal Court, claiming the Nation has a “pattern” of consenting to environmentally and culturally harmful practices on its territory without consulting him.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2025.

The Canadian Press