Editor:
As a director of the Francis Point Marine Park Society, I was shocked when members of the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) began constructing, without consultation, one of their “make a statement/claim ownership” longhouses on Francis Point Provincial Park, a privately owned property in Pender Harbour.
When the band was informed that the $4-million park property was purchased through funds raised by the society and only leased to BC Parks, Chief Craigan admitted he was not aware of this. However, this has not stopped the band from pushing for the construction of a longhouse on the property.
Secondly, because of the extremely sensitive environmental nature of the park, the park’s management plan dictates that no structures are to be built on the property and that it remain in its pristine condition. To this end, there are no road signs to the park, minimal paths, no garbage cans, and overnight camping is prohibited.
I cannot see how a longhouse, intended to be used by SIB members, won’t have an extremely negative impact on the park ecosystem.
Groups using the longhouse will have to have quantities of food on hand, garbage will be created, the rules about overnight camping will be violated, and the park simply doesn’t have sewage facilities to handle a public building.
While I support the band’s struggle for a just land claims settlement, I am strongly against any move that would conflict with the park’s existing management plan. That said, I’m sure my fellow board members join me in welcoming the band’s interest in using the park. We would be delighted to cooperate with the band in other kinds of activities that don’t endanger the park’s fragile ecosystem.
Peter Robson, Garden Bay
