Police back off from protest
Police will wait for talks between Sun Peaks protesters and native leaders
to conclude before attempting to enforce an injunction ordering them from
resort-controlled land.
Cpl. Brian O'Callaghan, acting commander of the RCMP's rural unit, said the
talks involve representatives of local bands and the 15 or so people - most
of them members of the Neskonlith Indian Band - who have built a camp near
the resort golf course's 16th fairway.
The camp was built to oppose continued development at Sun Peaks Resort.
O'Callaghan did not know who or what bands are involved in the talks - a
meeting was held Friday with RCMP and those who would take part - but he
said it's his belief the representatives will try to negotiate an end to the
protest.
He added RCMP will not make a move on the protest camp unless the talks end
unsuccessfully.
"It all depends on how the talks progress," he said.
Protesters at the camp were served a copy of the injunction and an
accompanying enforcement order Saturday.
O'Callaghan said the camp grew a bit over the weekend, with 15 or 16 people
there by Sunday.
Protest organizer Janice Billy said Tuesday those who are there intend to
stay.
"No one is moving until they can show us a proof of purchase for that land,"
she said.
At least two of the protesters have been involved in past protests at Sun
Peaks, she said.
As for talks between those at the camp and other native leaders, Billy said
she has heard nothing. She said she's surprised to hear of such talks,
considering her Neskonlith Indian Band isn't involved.
"We should have been notified," she said.
Skwelkwek'welt