Forest protectors waiting to meet an expected logging crew at Tisaquis (Heelboom Bay) on January 30th, a few days after losing the injunction hearing in the B.C. Supreme Court.
Bark Affidavit Helps Win Court Case
Margaret Joseph, a weaver of Optisaht, provided key evidence of continued use and occupancy of Meares Island by the Clayoquot. She testified at the Appeal hearing, explaining how the best cedar bark grows from Heelboom bay to Mosquito Harbour because it gets the morning'sunlight.
MacMillan Bloedel helicopter circles the bay (photo on left taken by MB from helicopter) but loggers never arrive.
She has gathered products growing on Meares since she was a little girl. Joseph swore she has never been prevented from freely going onto the land and taking things she needed.
Because she is now elderly, relatives help her collect the cedar bark that she needs to make baskets. In July of 1984, when the sap ran in the cedar, she sent her nephews and grandsons as a bark gathering party to Heelboom Bay. She told them exactly where to find the good bark.
Jack Woodward, one of the lawyers representing the Clayoquots, said such evidence helps prove aboriginal title, use and-occupancy of the land continuing to be exercised at the present time.
