RESISTANCE WITHOUT RESERVATION !!!
For more information: http://apc.resist.ca/skwekwelkwelt
Organized by Land, Freedom Decolonization Coalition in conjunction with NYM-Secwepemc Chapter and the Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center.
For more information on the convergence and a comprehensive website on the Skwelkwek’welt struggle: http://apc.resist.ca/skwekwelkwelt
Sun Peaks Resort and Delta Hotels are built on Secwepemc territories that have never been ceded or surrendered. Land and Water BC disregarded the Secwepemc, who said NO to expansion in stakeholder meetings, and in June 2001 obtained a court injunction to forcibly remove Secwepemc from their homelands. The Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center, at the Resort's entrance, claims Aboriginal Title & Rights. For this exercise of rights, 54 arrests with charges from criminal contempt and intimidation by blocking a road to resisting arrest have been made. In January 2003, a BC judge found four Elders not guilty for refusal to obey an injunction to tear down the Center, and as she left court, Elder Irene Billy stated: "I always knew we were right, this is our land, and Sun Peaks and the province cannot remove us from it."
With the 2010 Olympic bid, environmental destruction and expansion on unceded territories will be perpetuated even further. In the spirit of solidarity movements that honour front-line struggles of communities, rather than organizing actions in the city, it is imperative to escalate the fight against state and corporate colonialism on the territories itself.
TAKE BACK THE LAND!
CAMPAIGN AGAINST SUNPEAKS
The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier
Government of British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W 9E1
Fax: (250) 387-0087
Email: premier@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250-387-1715
Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection
Honourable Bill Barisoff
PO Box 9047 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC
V8W 9E2
Telephone: 250 387-1187
Fax: 250 387-1356
E-mail: WLAP.Minister@gems9.gov.bc.ca
Minister of State for Resort Development
Sandy Santori
PO Box Stn Provincial Government
Victoria, BC
V8W 9E2
tel#: 250-953-4246
fax#: 250-953-4250
Email: Sandy.Santori.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Darcy Alexander
Vice President, General Manager
Sun Peaks Resort
1280 Alpine Rd.
Sun Peaks, BC
V0E 1Z1
tel#: 250-578-7222
fax#: 250-578-7223
email: marketing@sunpeaksresort.com
Hon Andy Scott
Department of Indian and Northern Affairs
tel: 613-992-1067
fax: 613-996-995
Scott.A@parl.gc.ca
Sample Letter
RE: STOP EXPANSION OF SUN PEAKS RESORT IN SECWEPEMC TERRITORY
We stand united in protesting the Canadian government's continued criminalization of the Secwepemc people. They have been targeted for their use of their own land and for speaking out against Sun Peaks resort Corporation and the British Columbia government who continue to expropriate and destroy what was once a vibrant and abundant ecosystem. We stand opposed to the Canadian colonial system and support the Secwepemc people fighting state and corporate interests in British Columbia.
Sun Peaks Resort is built in Secwepemc territories, land which has never been ceded, released, nor surrendered. The BC government therefore has no authority over the Secwepemc people or their territories, or over the resources within the land.
Despite the recognition of the inherent land rights of Aboriginal People as Aboriginal Title in Delgamuukw, and despite the Haida decision that requires provincial and private interests to consult, obtain consent and accommodate Aboriginal interests prior to pursuing development on Aboriginal territories, federal and provincial governments still insist indigenous peoples must prove their title within the court system rather than by abiding by the principal of Title itself. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 asserts that "And We do further strictly enjoin and require all Persons whatever who have either wilfully or inadvertently seated themselves upon any Lands within the Countries above described, or upon any other Lands which, not having been ceded to or purchased by Us, are still reserved to the said Indians as aforesaid, forthwith to remove themselves from such Settlements."
The development of Sun Peaks resorts has continued without participation of those with Title to the land. In 1997, the BC government approved a $70 million development plan, allowing Sun Peaks to continue to expand their resort to 20,000 beds and put ski runs on the previously undisturbed Mt. Morrisey. The Secwepemc attended stakeholder meetings and clearly said no to the development. Land and Water BC however, clearly disregarded their voices and granted new leases to Sun Peaks to facilitate their expansion, and in June 2001, Land and Water BC obtained a court injunction to forcibly remove Secwepemc from their lands. To date, 54 arrests with charges from criminal contempt and intimidation by blocking a road to resisting arrest have been made.
We stand in support of the Secwepemc people and in their fight in defense of the land in maintaining their livelihood. In support of them and their communities struggle, we make the following demands:
1) We demand that all charges be dropped for all peoples charged in relation to protection of Aboriginal Rights and Title in Skwelkwekwelt territory.
2) We demand that no development or expansion continue on unceded territories that does not honour the rights of indigneous peoples as Title holders.
Undersigned,