B.C.'s Environment Minister Barry Penner paid a visit to Squamish this Saturday (April 19) to celebrate the protection of the estuary as a designated Wildlife Management Area.He started the day with a frigid tour of the estuary's most vulnerable area, known as Site A, where he spotted waterfowl and a bald eagle. "I can tell you it was a little bit cold," he laughed as the ceremony began.Developing the estuary's management plan was a 25-year process involving land exchanges with the province, BC Rail and Squamish Nation. The area received park status in Feb. 2007. The management plan, finalized in August 2007, outlines strategies to restore the estuary's rare fish and wildlife habitat. The presentation at Totem Hall included traditional song and dance, along with a blanket ceremony where 10 community members were honoured for their commitment to protect the area.Penner described the event as a collaborative triumph between community and government agencies, most notably the province and the Squamish Nation."It is the hope of the B.C. government that this relationship will be symbolic of the types of relationships we hope to have with First Nations across B.C.," he said.Chief Gibby Jacob recalled earlier times, adding there were some faces in the room he hadn't seen for 20 years. He reminded the group of more than 100 people of the history of conflict behind the estuary."It seems a bit of a quirk to me that we're all together in this because for a long time we were at odds," he said.Jacob noted the plan would take the estuary back to its rightful place, where his people could live and thrive off its fruits. While the event celebrated collaboration, the community did not always agree on how to protect the estuary. In 1992, Squamish Estuary Conservation Society president Meg Fellowes presented council with a petition signed by 700 people opposed to the a draft management plan that some felt put too little emphasis on habitat protection. "We stand on many, many, many shoulders today," she said.MP Blair Wilson said the federal government has a lot of work to do to build positive ties with First Nations, adding it has to take a much more humble role.MLA Joan McIntyre served as witness during the blanket ceremony. "I feel, I have to confess, very overwhelmed by all I witnessed today," she said. Squamish Environmental Conservation Society member John Buchanan was also one of those recognized. Draped in a heavy blanket and headband, he received thanks from Penner along with an estuary photo taken by Joanna Schwarz."The blanket ceremony does not often go outside the circle of First Nations," Buchanan said. "It was a real honour."Penner helped unveil a pole carving by Squamish Nation artist Aaron Nelson, to be erected in the estuary.
