Sun Peaks seeking court injunction to remove Native protestors

Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center
P.O. Box 837
Chase, British Columbia, Canada V0E 1M0
Telephone: (250) 318-4290 Fax: (250) 679-5306 E-mail: jrbilly@mail.ocis.net

MEDIA ADVISORY

September 3, 2004
Sun Peaks seeking Court injunction to remove Native protesters

Press Scrum with Skwelkwekwelt protestors arriving in Vancouver:
Friday September 3 @ 2 pm Law Courts (800 Smithe Street)


Sun Peaks is seeking an injunction and an enforcement order against the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center and native protestors in the BC Supreme Court on Friday September 3.

This motion by Sun Peaks comes after the provincial government served a Trespass Notice on the Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center on August 29, though the province has not yet acted to enforce the Tresspass Notice. According to Arthur Manuel, Former Chief of Neskonlith Band, "I think the province is hesistant to move on their Trespass notice because of the legal soundness of our argument, in light of the Haida Decision.”

Although the land being occupied by the Secwepemc community is unsurveyed Crown land, Sun Peaks is seeking an injunction in order to be able to carry on business-as-usual on adjacent private property.  Janice Billy, spokesperson of Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center states, “it is business-as-usual for the province and Sun Peaks.  They are both treating Aboriginal Title as if it does not even exist. Even the Supreme Court of Canada has recognized Aboriginal Title in all of un-ceded lands, including Sun Peaks”.

Author of the best-selling book No Logo Naomi Klein recently visited the Secwepemc territories. She writes: "Let's be clear about something: the massive expansion of the Sun Peaks Resort is an act of violence. The Secwepemc have never ceded this land, and their Elders have clearly said no to this development."

Three hundred people marched on Sunday August 29 to protest Sun Peaks expansion on traditional Secwepemc territories. Supporters and human rights
observers remain to witness the building of the permanent structure.

Contact:   Janice Billy, Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center, (250) 318-4290
               Arthur Manuel, (250) 319-0688
               David Cunningham, Anti Poverty Committee, (604) 317-5346