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1978
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The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) was asked by its member First Nations to address the declining employment of First Nations in the forest sector, and the damage poor logging practices were causing to fisheries and other resources. |
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1980
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The fifteen Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations of the west coast of Vancouver Island reclaimed their traditional lands. The Canadian government accepted the land claim for negotiation. |
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1984
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Tofino residents organized a boat blockade of Meares Island. The Tla-O-Qui-Aht and Ahousaht Nations declared the Island a Tribal Park. |
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1985
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A court injunction was granted against logging on Meares Island pending treaty settlement. |
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1989
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Clayoquot Sound Sustainable Development Task Force, was set up by the BC government to create a sustainable development strategy. The Task Force failed due to disagreements over interim logging and representation at the table. |
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1990
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The BC government established the Clayoquot Sound Sustainable Development Strategy Steering Committee. Environment Groups walked out following a decision to approve interim logging. |
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1991
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The BC government instructed the Commission on Resources and Environment (C.O.R.E.) to develop a comprehensive land use plan for Vancouver Island excluding Clayoquot Sound. |
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1993
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Following the failure of the C.O.R.E. Steering Committee to reach full agreement on areas to be protected, the BC government announced the Clayoquot Land Use Decision.
Opposition to logging in Clayoquot Sound led to widespread civil disobedience and the arrests of over 800 people for blockading logging
operations.
In reaction to the social controversy, the government of British Columbia introduced a new strategy to resolve the issues in Clayoquot Sound. A special panel of scientists and First Nations representatives were charged with the mandate of making recommendations on special forest practices appropriate to Clayoquot Sound. |
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April
1994
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Five Ha’wiih (Hereditary Chiefs) of the Nuu-chah-nulth presented their concerns about land use decisions that were being made in the Central Region without adequate consultation with the region’s indigenous people. |
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March
1994
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A historic two-year Interim Measures Agreement (IMA) between the provincial government and the five First Nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth Central Region, Ahousat, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht and Ucluelet, was signed.
The IMA acknowledged that the Ha’wiih of the First Nations have the responsibility to conserve and protect their traditional territories and waters for generations which will follow. Consequently, joint management of the Nuu-chah-nulth traditional territory’s lands and resources was granted until the completion of treaty negotiations.
The Central Region Board (CRB), a unique board with equal aboriginal and non-aboriginal membership, was created as a bridge to treaty. One responsibility of the CRB is to promote sustainability in Clayoquot Sound.
Meetings were held to discuss the possibility of a joint venture between MacMillan Bloedel and the five First Nations but little progress was made. |
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April
1995
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The Scientific Panel completed a series of groundbreaking reports that described how to manage the forests in Clayoquot Sound sustainably. |
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April
1996
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Because treaty negotiations were still in progress, an extension to the initial IMA was signed. This agreement is known as the Interim Measures Extension Agreement (IMEA). Schedule II of the IMEA committed MacMillan Bloedel and the First Nations in Clayoquot Sound to begin negotiations with the objective of forming a joint venture based on a shared commitment to achieving change. |
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April
1997
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Ma-Mook Natural Resources Limited was founded to represent the collective economic interests of the five Nuu-chah-nulth Central Region First Nations |
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November
1998
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MacMillan Bloedel Limited and Ma-Mook Development Corporation signed a shareholders agreement detailing their partnership in the operation of a new company to operate in Clayoquot Sound. The new company was named Iisaak Natural Resources Ltd.. Iisaak (E-sock) means "respect" in the Nuu-chah-nulth language. |
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July
1999
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A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Iisaak Natural Resources Ltd. and: Greenpeace Canada, Greenpeace International, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club of BC and Western Canada Wilderness Committee.
First Nations have shown steadfast resolve and active perseverance in their commitment to improve forest practices and to play a greater role in resource management in Clayoquot Sound. Now, over twenty years later, opportunities have arisen which put the goals of the Nuu-chah-nulth people and the local communities within reach.
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