Last May, trophy hunters shot and killed a five-year-old grizzly bear in BC’s Kwatna estuary — an ancient First Nations village site midway between the central coast communities of Bella Bella and Bella Coola. The bear, nicknamed 'Cheeky' by local field technicians, was skinned and left to rot in a field. His head and paws were carried out past a sign declaring trophy hunting closed in the Great Bear Rainforest.

Cheeky the bear may have died the same way as 100 other bears every year in the Great Bear Rainforest. The difference is, this time there was a witness. 

After several months of research, CFN’s Bear Working Group is preparing to release a short film about the incident and the broader issue of trophy hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest.Members of the press are invited to an exclusive screening at Telus World of Science at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4th. Scientists, elected leaders, and a special guest will be available for a Q&A following the film. Attendees will also receive early access to results from a new province-wide poll documenting shifting public sentiment on trophy hunting.

• Location:        Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC
• Date:               Wednesday, September 4th 2013
• Time:              10:00 a.m. (Doors at 9:30)

Coastal First Nations is an alliance of Wuikinuxv, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Nuxalk, Gitga’at, Metlakatla, Old Massett, Skidegate, and the Council of the Haida Nation, working together to create a sustainable economy on British Columbia’s North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. In September 2012, CFN announced a ban on trophy hunting for bears in the territories of all nine member nations.

For more information:

Councillor Jessie Housty, Heiltsuk Nation

604-831-7292  

Councillor Douglas Neasloss, Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation

604-836-0954