(Infamous) Thomas Sewid
Aboriginal tourism operator rebuked for opening burial boxes for travelers
Incident on a remote island set off investigations by the RCMP and provincial government
Wawmeesh G. Hamilton · The Canadian Press
Posted: Sep 22, 2014 5:00 PM CDT | Last Updated: September 22, 2014
Aboriginal tourism operator Tom Sewid stands near a First Nations burial box on a remote Island in British Columbia's Broughton Archipelago in an undated handout photo. Sewid's actions, giving travellers full access to ancient burial boxes, including revealing the skeletal remains, have been condemned by his fellow First Nations. (Katy Palladina/Canadian Press)
The actions of an aboriginal tourism operator in British Columbia who gave some travellers access to ancient burial boxes, including revealing the skeletal remains inside, have been condemned by his fellow First Nations.
A photo surfaced earlier this year on the Internet of Tom Sewid of Aboriginal Adventures Canada peering into an open burial box with skeletal remains in clear view.
A second photo of Sewid, dressed in aboriginal watchman attire, shows him standing beside the box that sits atop a large boulder in a heavily forested area.
The incident happened last summer on a remote island of the Broughton Archipelago between northern Vancouver Island and the B.C. coast. It set off investigations by the RCMP and the provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, but no charges or sanctions are expected.
Sharp rebuke form Nanwakola First Nation
Sewid's actions prompted a sharp rebuke from his own First Nation, the Nanwakolas, and he has been relieved of his duties as a watchman.
But Sewid said his actions were part of his duties overseeing the remains of his ancestors and he denied being disrespectful.
"I was a native watchman, guardian who had to protect those sites," he said in an interview "We make sure none of the kayak or tour companies were bringing clients in to view our ancestors' bones."
When asked why he allowed the picture to be taken, Sewid said the photo was meant for a specific use.
"You're trying to paint me as the bad guy. That picture was taken for one reason and one reason only: it was to be used at the year-end report," he said.
The fact that this incident involved one of our own nation'smembers is troubling and does not make it any less hurtful or wrong.' -Dallas Smith
Nanwakolas Council president Dallas Smith said councillors were extremely saddened to learn that images of an open burial box were taken with a First Nations' individual standing next to the box.
"The fact that this incident involved one of our own nation's members is troubling and does not make it any less hurtful or wrong," he said in a news release posted on the council's website.
The council co-operated with the ministry and RCMP investigations, and it chastised Sewid.
"We have made it clear to the individual depicted in the photos that we condemn his involvement in this horrific incident," Smith said.
Sewid said he explicitly told Washington state photographer Katya Palladina not to publish the pictures and three months later he saw the pictures on the Internet.
"I contacted her and said 'Get that God damned picture off your blog now."
Palladina was accompanied by Andrew Elizaga, who shot video during the encounter.
Both Palladina and Elizaga say Sewid told them they could freely shoot pictures and video at the burial site.
"I asked if we were allowed to photograph and Tom assured us, 'Yes. If it will be used to educate people that you shouldn't go there,"' Palladina said. "He brought us there. We never would go there on our own," she said.
Elizaga provided a copy of a video to back up their account. The video shows Sewid lifting a lid off a burial box revealing human skeletal remains and speaking to the videographer.
"And what I am going to share with the people now with your blog, is what is inside that box. And it is just so that we can stop the curiosity. They know what's in there. They can imagine now. They can look at your blog," Sewid said.
"I only do this because I want people to stay out of here," Sewid explained.
When Sewid was contacted for a second time about his statement on the video he again denied knowing that the video and pictures would be on the Internet. "OK, whatever. Just spin it whatever way you want. I don't care," he said before hanging up.
RCMP and provincial government alerted
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs vice-president Bob Chamberlin was alerted to the matter in April when someone forwarded an Internet link to the pictures. He contacted Mounties and the provincial government about the incident.
It troubled me to think of why someone –particularly another aboriginal person –would even think of disturbing our ancestors'human remains let alone actually doing it. - Bob Chamberlin
"It troubled me to think of why someone – particularly another aboriginal person – would even think of disturbing our ancestors' human remains let alone actually doing it," Chamberlin said in an interview. "I can't think of anything more pathetic."
While First Nations have many different customs, Chamberlin said the one thing they all have in common is a respect for the dead.
"That's a sacred thing," Chamberlin said. "I don't know where he gets his cultural teachings from but what I saw in those pictures is not consistent with our traditions."
The Canadian Press was asked not to show the picture with the skeletal remains.
A spokesman from the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources confirmed the matter was investigated.
"The archeological branch can confirm there was evidence of sites being disturbed, but the branch did not issue any permits," said Greg Bethel
The location of the site won't be disclosed in order to prevent others from going to the same location, he said.
Cpl. Don Birch of the Alert Bay RCMP confirmed police concluded an investigation with the potential for charges under the B.C. Heritage and Conservation Act. No charges were recommended, he said.
Canadian Fisherman Filmed Throwing Dynamite Into Pack Of Sea Lions (VIDEO)
BC fisherman caught throwing dynamite into a pack of sea lions and the video is shocking.
Stephanie Hilash STAFF
Staff Writer
Mar 08, 2019, 12:04 PM
Anew video has surfaced online that is gaining attention from both sides of the spectrum. In the video, you can see a Canadian fisherman throwing dynamite into a pack of sea lions. Since the video was posted yesterday it has gone viral. While there are some individuals condoning his actions, many are outraged by the act of animal cruelty.
The video was originally posted to a public Facebook group called Pacific Balance Pinniped Society. Since the video was posted and gained traction online, the Facebook group has gone private.
The video was posted to the group by Thomas Sewid. According to his Facebook page, Sewid is a fisherman from Victoria, British Columbia. When Sewid posted the video, he included justification and reasoning for his actions.
According to his lengthy Facebook post, there is a large number of Stellar sea lions within BC. Due to the high number of sea lions, the herring that typically stay near the top of the water now dive deep to stay away from their natural predators.
As someone who has had seal bombs thrown near me while diving (because I was in the way of a fishing boat that wanted to drop nets into the water), I can identify with the pinnipeds in this video being harassed by a fisherman who thinks it's hilarious to throw explosives at them. pic.twitter.com/x54K1sx36L
March 7, 2019
Sewid explained that since these herring stay deep, it makes it difficult for captains to catch herring as the nets do not go that deep. He then goes on to explain that the explosive being set off is a bear banger. It was used to try and get the sea lion horde to move on, so the fishing boats could continue searching for herring.
According to Sewid, this tactic is “always to no avail, for in a few minutes they [sea lions] return.”
Even though Sewid explains his point of view, commenters can't help but sympathize with the animals that were startled and possibly injured by the explosive he threw into the water.
In the video, you can see Sewid laughing as he throws the lit dynamite right into the middle of the pack of sea lions. A few seconds later, the dynamite explodes and sends the pack of animals into a sudden frenzy.
“The sea lions need to fear we humans once again, for as one can see they have no fear. Bear bangers and sea lion bombs (underwater Cherry Bomb firecrackers) are not going to do it, for we fishers have been proving that for decades. The only way to see fear instilled upon the hordes is to once again shoot them,’ writes Sewid.
Since the video was posted just 24 hours ago, many people have voiced their opinions. Most of the comments under the original Facebook post are in support of Sewid. This is not surprising since Sewid stated he would be monitoring the comment section heavily and would block anyone who does not agree with the tactic.
One Facebook user commented on the video saying "I love seal bombs. I wish they killed them though. It’s unfortunate that people have feelings for these giant rats of the sea! Sea lions are going to eat everything to extinction!"
Others are not supportive of his actions. One diver has taken to Twitter to explain that he has had seal bombs thrown near him while diving. According to the Twitter user, it was because he was in the way of a fishing boat that wanted to drop its nets in the water.
CTV spoke to an expert with the Vancouver Aquarium to understand more about the situation. According to the expert, Dr. Martin Haulena, this is a very powerful level of noise in close proximity to the sea lions and because of this, it can cause damage to the animal's hearing.
According to CTV, the Department of Fishers and Oceans has been made aware of the video and are currently looking into the matter.
