LETTERS
The following excerpts were taken from of the many letters of support received by the Friends of Clayoquot Sound during the Winter/Spring of 84/85.
"I have read of the giant cedars on Meares Island and I have watched the disputes on the news. Please send me more information, who knows I might show up! I would like to see the island stay the same." Oroville, Washington U.S.A.
"Congratulations to all of you on winning the court injunction! I can assure you that many Albertans were delighted to hear the news of the court injunction." - Alberta Wilderness Association Calgary, Alberta
"The Meares Island issue has brought forth several vital issues, especially Native land rights. Your side has very effectively shown the absurdity in Mac-Blo's and the Ministry's argument. Good luck to you." Big Bend Resource Council Golden, B.C.
"Meares Island is a part of Canada which can benefit us much more as a natural wonder than a bunch of 2" x 4" 's bound fur Japan. What can I do to help save the trees? Please give me more information as I teach outdoor education and want to inform my students as best I can." Winnipeg, Manitoba
I am writing to express my support for your recent stand and actions with regard to Meares Island. I support whatever action is necessary (so long as no one is injured, of course) to prevent MacBlo from logging this incredible island." Kamloops, B.C.
"What you are doing is really important- not just for the, preservation of Meares Island but also for the inspiration you give to us working on some of the other struggles to preserve our schools and keep Canada nuclear free." Bowser, B.C.
"Please find enclosed a donation to assist the Meares Island Tribal Park Support Coalition in your battle to save Meares Island from logging. At a recent meeting, our membership endorsed a similar resolution to that passed by the Coalition." United Brotherhood Of Carpenters and Joiners of America Vancouver, B.C.
"I am with you in your fight to save Meares Island. What can I do to help?" Red Deer, Alberta
"Our council supports the people of Opitshat in your struggle to protect your traplines and bush harvest and spawning streams." Village of Pinehouse Sask.
"We are solidly behind you on the issue and wish you well with your efforts." Vancouver Natural History Society Vancouver, B.C.
"I would like to add my personal thanks, and wish you the bast of luck, and urge you all to keep up the good work." Little Mountain N.D.P. Constituency Association Vancouver, B.C.
"It is imperative that a civilization such as ours realize that the future of the world as we know it depends on our decision makers beginning to see beyond the dollar signs and recognize and acknowledge some of the basic values and responsibilities! As a member of the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and as a lover of both man and nature I urge you to seek God's guidance in this matter and hold these two relatively-small areas (Meares Island and South Moresby) as a sacred trust for the generations yet to come!" Anglin Lake, Saskatchewan
"Meares is important not only for its beauty, bet because its importance to the people of Tofino need to be respected." Olympia, Washington
"Short term logging bucks may be more attractive now, but in the long run tourist dollars go further. After all tourism is the second largest industry in B. C. and requires some protection for its future." Ottawa, Ontario
We are writing to add our support to the request made by the Friends of Clayoquot Sound, the Clayoquot Band Council, and the District Municipality of Tofino, B.C. that a moratorium be put on any logging of Meares Island. We do so for two reasons. First claim, we share the same concern of the Tofino Council and population that-logging Meares Island poses a threat to their long-range economic well-being. The Provincial Government refused to allow an economic cost-benefit analysis to be done in order to determine if the Tofino Council's fears are well grounded. In effect, they denied citizens the right to a full review of the farts. Secondly, we agree with the claim of the Clayoquot Band Council that Meares Island is a tribal park and that its logging is threat to their traditional lifestyle." Sisters of Saint Ann Kakawis Tofino, B.C.
Dear Friends:
Although we will see one another on occasion from time to time, I have had the pleasure of meeting your members and have become true friends in the true sense of the word. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your co-operation during my mandate while representing my people and I know that you will extend the same will to the new Chief and Council
My wife and I were deeply honoured by your recognition and presentation of the beautiful print at the Schooner the other night. As I stated, we will always remember the effort and support you have found in your hearts to give. I think the unit, between our two Nations is great, but to me personally, I will always cherish the true friends I have gained within your organization. Again, Kleco! Kieco!
May the good Lord bless us all with the good will with one another in the years to come and may He also bless you all with good health and the guidance for your families. I remain;
In Brotherhood,
Mofes Menlo, Chief Councillor
Cirygaot Band Coosa
P.O. Box 489
TOW, B.C. VOR 2Z0
At the June, 1985 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the' Friends of Clayoquot Sound, the following people became the current DIRECTORS of the Friends: Linda Baril; Tom Curley; Maureen Fraser; John McNamee; Moses Martin; Michael Muffin; Al Pineo; Carl Rising-More.
"The Victoria Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is opposed to the permit granted to MacMillan Bloedel to log on Meares Island. We find it reprehensible that the Provincial Government has ignored the recommendations for further economic analysis and environmental impact studies, as forwarded by its own Planning Team. Furthermore, we would like to see a reorganization of overall forestry policy with emphasis on environmental quality and the intiation of adequate reforestation programs.
The Victoria Friends Meeting supports the Nu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, the Clayoquot and Ahousat Indian Bands, and the friends of Clayoquot Sound in their non violent effort to preserve Meares island as a tribal park.
The concept of a Tribal Park as a natural area lightly used by natives and non-natives, seems to use appropriate. Throughout all time, Meares Island should be a sample of wilderness rainforest-a resource for answers to questions we do not yet know how to ask." Religious Society of Friends Victoria, B.C.
"In this, the year of Parks Centennial, the emphasis should be on the preservation of antes such as Meares Island, NOT in working towards their eventual demise." Whitehorse Yukon
"We would like to offer a few words of support and encouragement to the 'Friends of Clayoquot Sound. Though we are snowed-in, in the southern interior we are with you in heart and spirit. It is a significant time in the evolution of man and we must all do one utmost to preserve the vanishing wilderness. Meares Island u both a symbolic and down to earth holy place for its natives and its visitors." Peachland, B.C
"I am deeply concerned about the fate of the Island as one of the last preserves of virgin forest on our Wes Coast, and about the apparent increasing willingness of the B.C. government to abandon its duty to conserve., and manage the province's natural and cultural heritage in favour of short- term economic gains." Vancouver, B.C.
"Bless you for taking the stand on Meares Island. Only people like you and your action can save our country. I can't be there and the donation is small but you have a friend pulling for you." Victoria, B.C.
"Your determination and non-violence are a shining example to all who love justice." Victoria, B.C.
"I am writing on behalf of the Yalakom Ecological Society. We would like to express our solidarity with the Friends of Clayoquot Sound in your valient efforts to save Meares Island." Yalakon Ecological Society
"The government must immediately stop all clearcutting in the remaining virgin and old growth forests, and only selective cutting. Special areas such as Meares island and South Moresby Island should be preserved in their natural state for the sake of the environment and future generations" Chester, Nova Scotia
"Hoping that our fight gets to a happy end, I am forwarding my best wishes to you." Le Chesnay, France
"I wish you success in conserving Meares as your home and for the trees and the people to survive. Canada is such a beautiful country with a forest that seems to be endless, and it makes me sad to see that the destroying of nature has started going the same way as it goes in Germany for a long time" Hamburg, Germany
"I am with you (cannot be physically due to distance, but morally most certainly) in this battle to save Meares Island." Arms Di Taggia, Italy
"How can I help stop the logging on Meares Island?" Cottonwood, Arizona; U.S.A
"The Yukon Conservation Society wishes to fully endorse the concept of a Meares Island tribal park as a means of preserving the integrity of the island from logging MacMillan Bloedel Company. Our organization the efforts of native and non-native peoples in struggle to preserve Meares Island." Yukon Conservation, Whitehorse, Yukon
"I was very moved by certain reports in press about your stand against the proposed logging and would like to offer you my distant support. I think its high time the Indians' wishes were honoured and that the trees are alone as a treasure worth far more than if they are cut down." Cornwall, UK
"Having long been involved in the forest industry, and having long deplored both the extraction of forest resources and the agribusiness attitude to silviculture, I am fully supportive of the residents of Clayoquot Sound. Not all loggers are as dimwitted as Jack Munro; but there is still a lot of work to be done showing the people of this province how their interests can best be served." Vancouver B.C.
Hang in there friends, fight for this beautiful forest." Cranbrook, B.C.
Our members sail this coast, and handle the logs and wood products that are moved by water. They
are well acquainted with logging practices and are calling for a complete ban on the logging of
Meares Island.
They also wished to make known their support for the Friends of Clayoquot Sound and the local
Indian Bands in their struggles to stop the logging on Meares Island."
Canadian Brotherhood of Railway,
Transport and General Workers
Vancouver B.C.
This letter is in support of the Clayoquot Band and their attempts to preserve Meares Island. We
affirm their claim to Meares Island and that this claim is related to their aboriginal ownership.
Our support for the Clayoquot Band is a part of the larger concerns about the inadequate land base
for aboriginal people and the continued destruction of the environment."
National Native Council
United Church of Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
