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Texas Company to Pay B.C. First Nation $12M over 2016 Tugboat Spill

On Wednesday, June 3, the Heiltsuk Nation announced a $12.2 million settlement with Houston-based Kirby Corp following the 2016 grounding of the tug Nathan E. Stewart near Bella Bella, B.C.
In October 2016, the tug ran aground in the Seaforth Channel, releasing about 110,000 litres of diesel and 2,000 litres of lubricants into waters critical to the Heiltsuk Nation's harvesting and cultural practices.
Kirby agreed to attend washing and healing ceremonies in Bella Bella and will not traverse Heiltsuk territory without consent. The nation called the agreement an "important first step" toward accountability.
Heiltsuk Joint Leadership stated the settlement does not "close this chapter," as the nation continues pursuing outstanding claims against the Canadian government and the federal Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund.
The nation remains committed to seeking accountability and protecting the lands, waters, and way of life central to the community, efforts recently bolstered by its role as an Indigenous partner in a 6,700-square-kilometre national marine conservation reserve.

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The Toronto Star

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Texas company to pay B.C. First Nation $12M over 2016 tugboat spill

BELLA BELLA - A British Columbia First Nation says a Texas company has agreed to pay more than $12 million in the first portion of a "multi-part settlement" after a

12 hours ago·Toronto, Canada

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CBC News

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Heiltsuk Nation reaches $12.2M settlement with company involved in 2016 tugboat fuel spill

The Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation says it has completed the first part of a multi part settlement after a tugboat ran aground in its territory, spilling thousands of litres of fuel into its waters.

1 day ago·Canada

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