A contaminated beach leaches diesel back into the marine environment, in the third week of the ongoing aftermath of the crash. Image Heiltsuk Nation/Kyle Artelle
Anemones, urchins, encrusting algaes, and seaweeds provide a glimpse of the rich reef the Nathan E. Stewart crashed into on the morning of October 13. Image: Heiltsuk Nation/April Bencze
Diesel-laden absorbent booms washed ashore broke apart in stormy weather, leaching their diesel contents out and contaminating the beach below. At the time of this photo, the booms had been ashore for the better part of a week. They remained there for another week afterwards. Image: Heiltsuk Nation/Kyle Artelle
More importantly, this is where the Q̓vúqvay̓aítx̌v people, one of the five Heiltsuk tribes, come from, along with their stories, names, families and chiefs. Ancient stone fish traps grace its shores, a hint of the deep history written visibly on the land. It provides at least 25 harvested species of marine organisms. It harbours the most important clam beds in the territory (now closed due to likely contamination), which provide considerable winter employment.It provides kelp for traditional roe-on-kelp harvest of herring eggs. Edible seaweed is also harvested nearby, as are many species of salmon and other fish. Not long ago, it was a prime spot to harvest abalone, and the very reef the tug now sits upon remains habitat for the endangered species.Read More: Native Americans Are Resisting the Dakota Pipeline With Tech and Media Savvy
The spill site on Oct. 28. Image: Tavish Campbell
Image: Tavish Campbell and April Bencze