ISLANDS BULLETIN NO. 12 April 11, 2005 ISLANDS SPIRIT RISING GWAII SGAANAWAAY SIIGAA IIJAA To All Islands People; INTERESTING FACT: People working for Edwards have received their layoff notices so that they can apply for Employment Insurance. The reason written on the layoff notices is aboriginal blockade. ALL OF US TOGETHER For years the Islands communities have been saying that the current system does not work and we have been very active in generating new ideas about how business should be done here. The current system works for some people — mainly shareholders of the companies — but not for local families who need long-term steady work to raise families. People want to work regular shifts, at a regular job that doesn’t undermine their future employment by logging too much too fast. We are at a crossroads on the Islands. When you look to the future there are two paths and really only one choice. One path is the way it has always been done and has led us to the point we are at now. We all know the problems with no regular work and logging too much too fast etc. The other path is one where communities will survive and there will be enough work in a variety of jobs to employ all the people. To make that vision real we need the resources. We need resources for Islands people to make their living from and we need a system that considers what it takes to keep the land and resources healthy forever. It is a vision that many share. This action called Islands Spirit Rising is the beginning of making the changes that are critical to a future that includes all of us in way that respects the land and the people who live on it. To that end we are working to a speedy solution so that the disruption we are experiencing will be as short as possible and we can get on with the work of making this Island sustainable. The future is now and we are all part of shaping it. BACK TO WORK A pass system is in place for forestry workers and companies who are not working for Weyerhaeuser to return to work. Call 559-4468 to receive forms for application. It is a 30-day permit and applications are reviewed on an individual basis. PRESS/WEB COVERAGE Since the beginning of Islands Spirit Rising we have had 80,000+ hits on the web site. The three photo sites that are linked to ISR are also experiencing similar levels of activity. Although stories in the press have levelled off there is a new initiative starting up in Europe with people focussing their attention on Haida Gwaii and involving themselves in the issue - stay tuned for reports from our European connections. VOLUNTEER SIGN UP INFORMATION To sign up for the Yakoun Line please call May Russ: 1-250-626-5252 or toll free 1-888-638-7778 or home 626-5037. To sign up for the Honna Line call Nika and Danny at 559-8133 and leave a message if the machine comes on. To volunteer for other things call Melinda Pick 559-8834 or melinda_pick@hotmail.com or cblake@haidagwaii.net Information, updates, photos can be viewed at www.haidanation.ca