Lummi Nation is taking a no compromise position against the proposed coal terminal.
Lummi Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Feb. 3, 2015

Lummi Nation tells Pacific International Terminals that treaty rights are “not for sale” Tribe will not consult further with coal shipping company

Bellingham, Wash.— Lummi Nation Chairman Tim Ballew II said today that the tribe will no longer consult with Pacific International Terminals about a proposed coal shipping facility in waters off the Lummi reservation at Xwe’chi’eXen, or Cherry Point, in the Salish Sea.
“Members of our staff have been engaged in an ongoing analysis of the impacts associated with the project,” Ballew said. “After three years of reviewing the project, communicating and meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) and Pacific International Terminals, we have concluded that the end result is always a negative impact on our treaty fishing rights.”
Ballew’s statement came in response to a written request for face-to-face meetings from Skip Sahlin, vice president of Pacific International Terminals.
In a relatively unique step for treaty negotiations, Lummi’s ancestors secured reserved fishing rights in the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott.
“Cherry Point is sacred to the Lummi people and is a source of food, history and culture,” Ballew said. “We have done our analysis and the adverse impacts to this important site cannot be mitigated.”
On January 5, the tribe sent a letter asking the Corps to deny a permit at the site.
“Negotiation between Lummi and Pacific International Terminals is not an option,” Ballew said. “Our treaty rights are non-negotiable and not for sale. We wait for the Corps to uphold its constitutional responsibility and deny the permit.”
###
Contact:
Sheena Kinley-Sanders
Assistant to the Chairman
360-305-8532

cross-posted on Facebook