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Home > Campaigns > Indigenous Solidarity > skwelkwek'welt > press releases > UBCIC Condemns Arrests at Sun PeaksUBCIC Condemns Arrests at Sun Peaks
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UBCIC Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2004
UBCIC Condemns Arrests at Sun Peaks
(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, September 22, 2004) Yesterday’s arrests at Sun Peaks Resort is another stage in the long, nasty and protracted battle to protect traditional Secwepemc territory from the
wanton destruction by the massive expansion of Sun Peaks Resort.
“Quite plainly, the arrests are yet a further instance where the Campbell Government has attempted to criminalize the presence of Indigenous Peoples on their own traditional lands. The UBCIC fully supports the joint statement of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and the Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center that declares the Secwepemc People have the right to occupy, use and enjoy the land and natural resources within Secwepemc traditional territory,” said Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
The joint statement of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and the
Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center was released on September 21, 2004. The joint statement stated their shared concern that a Shuswap Nation Tribal Council August 27 media release was improperly and unethically used by Sun Peaks Resort and the Province of BC at the Supreme Court of BC to gain an injunction and enforcement order against Secwepemc People.
Chief Phillip stated, “The courts have continually ignored their judicial obligations and have failed to protect the Constitutional and judicially recognized Aboriginal Title and Rights of our People. Chief Matthew and Art Manuel are correct in stating that the federal and provincial governments have to live up to their legal obligations to implement the Delgamuukw and Haida court decisions.”
Chief Phillip stated further, “Our young people and Elders will not be bullied by a third-party or by government into abandoning their struggle to protect their land and justifiably seek an honourable recognition of Aboriginal Title and Rights. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs will continue to support a community-led process and is encouraged that a workable relationship has been established between the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and the Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center to protect and exercise Secwepemc Aboriginal Title and Rights throughout their territory.
– 30 –
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chief Stewart Phillip, President
Cell: (250) 490-5314
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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.
FOR MORE INFO ON SECWEPEMC RESISTANCE:
Turtle Island Native Network News - Secwepemc
Union of BC Indian Chiefs - Sun Peaks
Skwelkwekwelt Protection Centre
Recent Article:
ZMag
Land, Freedom and Decolonization Coalition
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.
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