Groups protest expansion
by Jason Hewlett
Kamloops Daily News
August 30, 2004
They arrived by bus and pickup, a mix of Caucasians and First Nations 140 strong. They may have been separated by race but they were unified by a common goal — to stop expansion at Sun Peaks Resort.
The crowd disembarked from their vehicles and gathered in the parking lot at the Bentos Daylodge. Many wore hats and slickers to protect themselves from the steady drizzle of rain that turned the dirt beneath their feat into mud.
“We’re here to protest the theft of our traditional native land,” said Sabrina Heiberg, a representative of the Secwepemc Nation.
“This land is sacred and ceremonial to us and it is being destroyed for profit.”
Many of those gathered, including representatives from the Shuswap Nation, the Council of Canadians and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, brought their children and hefted signs reading No Justice On Stolen Land and Off Our Mountain. Some carried video and audio recording equipment to document the event.
Janice Billy, spokeswoman for the Niskonlith Indian Band, said the protest had been in the works for some time.
“We spent a whole year organizing and building support,” she said. “Now we’ve got a whole support network.”
The crowd began its march through the village. They were closely followed by RCMP cruisers and resort security. The odd passerby stopped to watch the procession.
Christopher Nicolson, president of tourism at Sun Peaks, was among the onlookers.
“We all agree that land claims need to be resolved,” he said. “We encourage all levels of government to resolve these issues.”
He empathized with the protesters but said there was nothing the resort could do to solve the problem.
“As much as we want to, we’re no different than Kamloops, Vancouver or Kelowna.
“As a community, we can only focus on what we can effect, which is to be a great vacation experience and nothing else.”
As the group gathered in the village square, guest speakers — including Secwepemc elder Irene Billy, Billie Pierre of the Native Youth Movement and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs president Chief Stewart Philip — gave their speeches.
Nicolson said he appreciated a peaceful protest.
“They’re a diverse group and don’t just have issues with Sun Peaks. This is more like a rally in downtown Kamloops or Vancouver.”
RCMP Sgt. Dennis Bauhuis said his officers would monitor the protest for as long as they were needed.
“No one takes issue with them saying their piece. If it stays (peaceful) like this, then we’re happy.”
In June, Sun Peaks announced a $285-million project that would add 10,352 bed units over the next 10 years.
