Heiltsuk leaders seek justice on the global stage for a historic spill's fallout

Heiltsuk tribal leaders from coastal British Columbia have taken their grievances over Canada's inadequate spill response to an international forum, aiming to secure legal recognition for cultural losses.

Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports for The Narwhal.

In short:

Following the devastating Nathan E. Stewart spill, the Heiltsuk Nation struggles with the long-term impacts on their traditional harvesting grounds, leading them to seek international intervention.
Canada's legal framework currently fails to recognize cultural and environmental losses, prompting the Heiltsuk leaders to advocate for changes at the International Maritime Organization.
The Heiltsuk's efforts underscore a broader struggle for Indigenous communities to protect their rights and resources against environmental disasters.

Key quote:

“We’re not only looking to make things right for ourselves to protect our shorelines. It’s only a matter of time before another incident."

— Hereditary Chief Harvey Humchitt.

Why this matters:

This isn't just about the fight against oil spills; it's also a larger story about the right to self-determination for Indigenous peoples and the global need to transition to sustainable energy sources.

LISTEN: Annie Belcourt on Indigenous health and healing.

thenarwhal.ca

Heiltsuk leaders seek justice on the global stage for a historic spill's fallout

Republicans push to repeal clean energy tax breaks, putting companies in limbo and billions in investments at risk

Trump administration stalls climate pollution report as U.S. emissions progress slows

EPA scientists told to reapply for new jobs amid reorganization push

Europe’s electric car push runs into political and economic roadblocks

Energy Department pushes major rollback of appliance and energy efficiency rules

Industry and consumers push back against moves to dismantle Energy Star program

California lawmakers stall push to charge oil firms for climate destruction

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.