06/03/2026
Membership Notice
June 3, 2026
Heiltsuk Joint Leadership wants to share an update with the community about the Nathan E. Stewart grounding and oil spill.
In October 2016, the tug Nathan E. Stewart ran aground near Bella Bella and spilled approximately 110,000 liters of diesel and other pollutants into Heiltsuk waters near Qvúqvái. This is an important area for Heiltsuk people that has long supported harvesting, cultural practices, and community well-being. The spill affected marine life, food-gathering areas, and access to a place that holds deep cultural meaning.
For many community members, the impacts of the spill have not only been environmental and economic, but also cultural and spiritual, and those impacts have continued for years.
Heiltsuk has now completed the first part of a multi-part settlement related to the spill. This first settlement is with Kirby Corporation and Henry Hendrix. As part of the agreement, Kirby will:
Attend a washing ceremony in Bella Bella and a healing ceremony at Qvúqvái.
Not to travel through the inside waters of Heiltsuk Territory without first informing Heiltsuk and discussing a memorandum of understanding on how it would operate in those waters; and
Make a payment of $12.2 million to the Heiltsuk Nation once the court issues it's order later this year.
Heiltsuk Joint Leadership continues to pursue its remaining claims against Canada and through the Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund. The Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund is a federal compensation fund that can help cover losses and costs caused by oil spills from ships after the shipowner has addressed its responsibility. While this first settlement is an important step, it does not close this chapter. The Nation remains committed to seeking accountability, supporting healing, and protecting the waters, lands, and way of life that are central to the Nation.
After the court issues its order there will be a community engagement and decision regarding the settlement funds.
More information will be shared with the community as this work continues.
For more information, you can email: [email protected]
