The Nuxalk Nation has called Skeena – Bulkley Valley MP Ellis Ross disrespectful, adding that he’s not welcome within Bella Coola.
In a statement, Nuxalk Nation Elected Chief Samuel Schooner has demanded MP Ross apologize for arranging a meeting with the Bella Coola Rod and Gun Club to discuss ongoing changes to Canada’s firearms laws, as well as a talk about ‘the current bear situation’.
Nuxalk Nation says in the aftermath of the horrific grizzly bear attack last month on a school group that injured 11 and left 3 children and a teacher in hospital in serious condition, ‘it’s obvious that Mr. Ross is totally disconnected from the needs of the communities he serves and does not have any respect for required protocol when visiting sovereign Nations within their own territories.’
For his part, MP Ross clarified that he had promised during his election campaign to visit Bella Coola for a conversation about firearms, and he wanted to follow through on that promise as one of the first things he did upon returning to British Columbia as Parliament breaks for Christmas.
Ross adds, his emails and phone calls to Nuxalk Nation about the planned meeting had gone unanswered, saying “We did what we could to get a response but couldn’t get one.” He further adds he’s willing to postpone the meeting for a later date.
Meanwhile, Nuxalk Nation says MP Ross had not reached out to offer support or condolences in the aftermath of the grizzly attack and have accused him of sidestepping their leadership in favour of a group of private citizens who they say do not represent them, and who they say have no connection to anyone impacted by the bear attack.
It’s unclear exactly what was on the agenda for the meeting at the Rod and Gun club this Saturday, but within the House of Commons, MP Ross has been outspoken about what he says are the imbalanced impacts the Federal gun buyback program will have on hunters in indigenous communities.
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