500 years ago French and Spanish and Portuguese fishers made summer voyages to North America’s north Atlantic coast in search of bountiful cod.

Then English and French traders moved inland and across the continent in search of beaver and timber. And Spanish, English and Russian explorers and traders moved in on the northwest Pacific coast in search of new resources to plunder.

And ultimately, these Europeans overwhelmed the continent and claimed the land too. As if no-one was there already. As if no other humans already lived on the land. As if the resources were simply theirs for the taking.

And it’s still happening today, in British Columbia, that province with the most colonial of names…

The Heiltsuk Nation is ready to impose blockades on outside fishers coming into BC’s central coast waters to engorge their holds with roe herring. ( story)

The Saulteau and West Moberley First Nations have announced camps to block Vintage Petroleum – which has announced its intent to build an access road and well site into the West Moberly Tract despite the objections of the First Nations whose traditional rights to hunt and fish are imperilled. ( story)

Bonaparte, Xaxli’p and Ts’Kw’aylax First Nations are rejecting the government agenda to open up the upper Hat Creek Valley for coalbed methane development. (story)

Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose. BC’s First Nations have had enough of imperial plunder, enough of corporate globalization, and they are increasingly determined to take back the land and take back the resources.

And Dogwood Initiative will be there. helping them implement sustainable land reform