First Nations in B.C. stay firm on stance to seal off communities from tourists – CBC

‘People before economics,’ says president of Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

Jul 13, 2020

Indigenous bands along the British Columbia coast say their borders will remain closed to tourists and non-residents despite the economic impact, as they work to raise awareness about the threat COVID-19 poses to their communities.

The Nuu-chah-nulth, Heiltsuk Nation and Haida Nation have all closed or restricted access to their territories and reserves.

“Of course, it’s negatively impacting. But our directors have said, our chiefs have said, people before economics,” said Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, in an interview. “I think everyone is slowly realizing the impact economically, but right now we just really feel that we want to protect the members first.”

Members of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, made up of 14 First Nations along the west coast of Vancouver Island, have deployed a variety of tactics to help ensure their borders are kept sealed from non-residents.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/first-nations-bc-close-borders-covid-19-1.5647337