TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERNFebruary 4, 1998
Since the completion of the sale of Twin Islands at the end of November, 1997 a crew of Fallers has been steadily at work cutting timber off Twin Islands to pay down a mortgage held by the Royal Bank of 3 . 5 million dollars . Despite Public outcry, flotillas of boats from Cortes and surrounding islands, confrontations and a blockade of the loggers at the Cortes Bay dock; despite all appeals to end this travesty, the desecration continues.
Twin Islands deserves better! Despite it's historical significance for the First Nations and the International community, Twin Islands is being clear-cut for a subdivision! Let US do better! We are not against logging - we live from logging. We are against the wholesale destruction of our heritage. Let us find another solution.
In his letter to John Cleghorn of the Royal Bank, Mr. Art Cowie has suggested a Park or a resort. All suggestions are welcome. Let 's also consider a real gesture of atonement. The First Nations people of our Coast have suffered grieviously through our ill-coceived attempts at assimilation. About a month ago, the Federal Minister responslble for Indian Affalrs apologized on our behalf for the abuses suffered in the name of assimilation. A substantial sum of money was earmarked to create Healing Centers to attempt to remedy the effect of this aggression on First Nations people. Let Twin Islands become a Healing Center! Let Twin Islands continue in it's tradition of peacemaker!
Twin Islands is centrally located in the North Gulf and has long been a meeting ground for First Nations peoples. Let us make it an Island of Reconciliation. Let us invite the Royals, Bank and otherwise, to partlcipate in making this dream a reality.
Manson's Landing
Cortes Is1and, B.C. VOP lKO
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