** Disclaimer: There was alot of racism and misinformation in the media about the convergence but we have collected these reports for your information. Please see the updates and the press releases on this website sent by the Skwelkwek'welt Protect Centre for more information. **
Sun Peaks is built on Secwepemc land, which the Secwepemc refer to as Skwelkwek’welt, located in BC’s interior, 30 km NE of Kamloops. Secwepemc have never ceded, surrendered or released their land in any way. 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.
Land, Freedom, Decolonization Coalition is a network of groups and individuals in Vancouver from Native Youth Movement, Native Solidarity Network, No One is Illegal, Refugees Against Racial Profiling, South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy, Palestine Community Center, Anti-Poverty Committee, International Solidarity Movement, Bus Riders Union, South Asian Youth Alliance, Friends and Families of Mexican Political Prisoners, Committee for Solidarity with Columbia, and others.
Skwelkwek'welt