Chiefs angry two groups in on protest

The Daily News (Kamloops)
Sat 28 Aug 2004
Page: A3
Section: City & Region
Byline: Mike Youds
Source: The Daily News

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and the Council of Canadians are overstepping protocol by joining a protest at Sun Peaks today, several Shuswap Tribal Council chiefs said on Friday.

"Secwepemc people will speak for Secwepemc people," said Chief Ron Jules of the Adams Lake Band.

Chief Felix Arnouse of the Little Shuswap Band and Chief Art Anthony of the Neskonlith Band supported his contention.

"It is insulting when outside groups attempt to compromise our efforts in dealing with issues that affect our people in our territory," Arnouse said.

The chiefs said they issued the statement after consultation supported by the Kamloops, Whispering Pines and North Thompson bands.

"... Both groups should have made the effort to educate themselves in traditional Secwepemc protocol before attempting to act on any Shuswap leader's behalf," they stated in a media release.

However, UBCIC president Stewart Phillip, the Penticton Indian Band chief who is taking part in today's protest, questioned their motivation.

"Notice of the Convergence Protest has been in the public domain for quite some time, so I'm a bit confused that at the last minute there's this flurry of contradictory statements.

"I expect the resort itself is the one who has instigated this," he added.

Chief Nathan Matthew, president of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, acknowledged the division among member bands over the preferred course of action to have the Douglas Reserve claim addressed.

"We're hoping, through the specific claims, there could be some movement in the resolution of the Douglas claim," he said. "We do see protests as not being truly effective in moving things along."

The tribal council agreed to let the three Douglas-claim-area bands take the lead in developing a resolution opposed to the UBCIC involvement in the protest. The council comprises 17 bands in total.

"When large political organizations are coming into traditional territory without speaking to the local bands it does break with what we believe to be positive protocol," Matthew said.

Arnouse said such protests continue to have a negative impact on the economic development efforts of area bands.

"A lot of non-native people cannot differentiate between the bands," he said. "It is frustrating, especially when we're trying to solve poverty and unemployment in our communities.

"I was actually surprised when I got an e-mail a couple of weeks ago and saw they're bringing in outsiders. They never asked permission and I guess us chiefs feel really insulted."

He said the chiefs' position on the protest reflects the will of their communities since a resolution was passed at the tribal council's general assembly opposing such protests.

Phillip said he is well aware of the Douglas claim process underway. He said his involvement is directed more broadly at the intransigence of the provincial government and third parties in conducting business as usual without regard for the interests of First Nations people.