Re: [Paddlewise] Loss of Kayaking Areas on Vancouver Island. BC, Canada

I am not Native American but my wife's family is so I have some experience
with tribes but no experience at all with Canadian tribes. In the USA tribes
are separate governmental entities but still must adhere to the U.S.
Constitution and Federal law. They are not necessarily required to adhere to
state constitutions and state law, however, unless they have signed
agreements.

Tribes are generally governed by a Tribal Council of elected representatives
and it would be this group that kayakers should consider approaching first
to see what plans the tribe has for the existing facilities. I think that
closing down existing facilities would be less likely than charging a fee
for their use; one costs money and the other generates money.

Before you approach any tribal council you should consider that, from the
tribe's point of view, the land was not given to the tribe but rather was
returned to the tribe. From their point of view people have been using their
land all this time without permission. There will be members of the tribe
who will be in favor of continued public access and other members opposed to
it. But like small communities everywhere the majority will probably be
concerned about jobs and keeping their kids and grandkids in the area.

If I were trying to convince a Tribal Council to do something I would first
attend a few Council meetings and see what their plans for the area are. It
may well be that their ideas and your ideas are the same. If not, I would
design a presentation that would best blend what the tribe wants with what I
want. I would spend time talking about providing local jobs, how kayaking is
an eco-friendly activity, and how the tribe can use tourism to increase its
visibility to the outside world.

I know that emotions run high when these sorts of problems crop up but I'm
pretty sure there will be some common ground that might even be better than
what is available now.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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