For the Record and Heiltsuk Truth: The Great Bear Rainforest Should Not Be Exploited for Partisan Purposes

Press Release

Byron Horner is the Conservative candidate for the federal riding of Courtenay-Alberni. He was also an executive producer on the Great Bear Rainforest IMAX film, which was filmed in Indigenous territory, Heiltsuk territory included.

Earlier this year, the Heiltsuk became aware that footage of the IMAX film was being wrongfully used to promote Mr. Horner’s political campaign. This was done without Heiltsuk consent and contrary to the original spirit and intent of the film, which was education and sharing so that all can appreciate and understand why protection measures are paramount for our beautiful home.

Under Heiltsuk law, we must stand in our truth, and address untruths regarding our homelands and waters. As such, we sent a letter to Mr. Horner advising we did not approve of the exploitation of images from the film for the purpose of individual political campaigns, and requesting that he cease and desist using those images. After this letter was sent, Mr. Horner agreed to remove all film-related images from his social media, website, and other channels related to his political campaign.

Recently, we have been advised that Mr. Horner has been referencing the IMAX film in his campaign speeches and door-to-door political campaigning, including making claims that he has established good relationships with specific members of the Heiltsuk Nation. He is also still using an image from the film on his campaign website.

For the record, the Heiltsuk Nation would like to make clear that Mr. Horner’s actions are inconsistent with the spirit of his agreement with the Heiltsuk, that any references to the film and its images are being done without our explicit consent, and that we do not have a relationship with Mr. Horner, nor do we endorse his political campaign.

Heiltsuk territory is a vast and beautiful territory that not even an IMAX film can capture in all its complexity. The Great Bear Rainforest is a global treasure with thousands of salmon runs, millions of migratory birds, and unmatched marine and terrestrial mammals like the humpback whale, gray wolves and the elusive Spirit Bear, to name a few. It is a region we have fought hard to protect, and it should not be exploited for partisan purposes.

Marilyn Slett is the Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Nation, whose territory encompasses 35,553 square kilometres of land and water on the Central Coast of British Columbia, including substantial portions of the Great Bear Rainforest.

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