National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), an American non-profit that operates in B.C., says it may make changes to its controversial application to use provincial Crown land, after it does more consultation with First Nations.
The organization recently applied to renew and expand its licences to occupy Crown land, saying it wants to stop and camp at the sites along the B.C. coast while on a sea-kayaking trip from Washington state to Alaska next summer.
But the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is the latest to express concern about the application — and after hearing its concerns, NOLS said it would consult further.
The FNLC called on the province to “obtain, free, prior, and informed consent” from First Nations before deciding whether to grant the licences.
“There must be an understanding that First Nations consent is required for most, if not all of these areas,” said Hugh Braker, who sits on the FNLC and is a member of the Tsheshaht First Nation on west Vancouver Island.
The potential sites are spotted along the west and east coasts of Vancouver Island, and up the central coast.
After hearing Braker’s interview on CBC’s On the Island, Rich Majerus of NOLS said that the school is reassessing its application.
“I want to apologize for the lack of consultation in advance of submitting our application,” said Majerus who is the organization’s VP of expeditions.
“We do want to engage in that process of consultation with First Nations. We have every intention to communicate, to ask for permission.”
He said they are considering removing some of the sites on the list, after consultations.
Braker thinks the news will come as relief to many.
“I think most First Nations on the coast will welcome the opportunity to meet with the company and talk to them about what they want to do,” he said.
Though it says it may make changes, NOLS has not cancelled its application.
While many British Columbians have expressed concern about an American group getting access to Canadian land while Canada-U.S. relations are tense, Majerus said now is a time to build bridges.
He said NOLS works to teach people how to collaborate, so now isn’t the time to walk away.
“For us to, like, move away from this because of that larger political climate would be antithetical to the way we try to train our students,” said Majerus.
In regards to other public worries about the application, Majerus said the group will not build any shelters, won’t block others from using the land and will practise “leave no trace” principles.
