BELLA BELLA – A First Nation in British Columbia, the Heiltsuk Nation, announced this week that a Texas-based liquid marine transport company, Kirby Corp., has agreed to a financial settlement exceeding $12 million. This settlement relates to a significant environmental incident that occurred in October 2016 when the tugboat Nathan E. Stewart ran aground near Bella Bella, causing a spill of approximately 110,000 litres of pollutants, including diesel, into the marine environments crucial for the Heiltsuk people's cultural and community well-being.
The Tribal Council of the Heiltsuk Nation communicated the agreement via a notice on Facebook, indicating that the settlement is structured in multiple parts. It includes the stipulation that Kirby Corp. will pay the Heiltsuk Nation once a court order is formally issued later this year. Moreover, Kirby has agreed to participate in a ceremonial washing event in Bella Bella, which signifies a step toward reconciliation and healing.
Another significant term of the agreement is that Kirby’s vessels are now prohibited from navigating through Heiltsuk waters without obtaining prior consent. This condition highlights the Nation’s commitment to protecting its waters and ecosystems, which have been profoundly affected by the spill, leading to long-lasting environmental, economic, cultural, and spiritual impacts.
The effects of the spill were noted to have persisted for years, disrupting not only the environment but also the Heiltsuk Nation’s traditional harvesting practices and overall community health. The First Nation has made it clear that while this initial settlement is a crucial advancement, it does not conclude their pursuit of justice and accountability related to this incident. They have expressed intentions to continue pursuing additional claims, specifically against the Canadian government and the federal Ship-source Oil Pollution compensation fund.
The statement from the Heiltsuk Nation emphasized the ongoing commitment to healing, accountability, and the safeguarding of the waters, lands, and way of life that are integral to their heritage and community. The Heiltsuk have been prominent advocates for environmental protection along the British Columbia coast. Recently, they were one of six Indigenous partners that entered into an agreement with the Canadian government and the province to establish a substantial 6,700-square-kilometre national marine conservation reserve.
This report first emerged from The Canadian Press on June 5, 2026, detailing a significant development in the healing journey for the Heiltsuk Nation following a disastrous environmental incident that has reshaped their interactions with marine transport entities.
