(Secwepemc Territory) - On Friday, Nov. 16, six RCMP officers, with B.C. Assets and Land Corporation officials and officials from Sun Peaks Resort, seized all goods, dwellings, and materials of the Secwepemc McGillivray Lake Village near Kamloops, BC. After an angry exchange of words with residents, the police went "out of control" Secwepemc witnesses said, in attempting to arrest a youth for wearing what they said was camouflage clothing.

"They used pepper spray and brutally threw a young woman to the ground," said Janice Billy, spokesperson for the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Centre. "It was terrifying to see the hatred in their eyes."

"It was a shameful way to act," says Chief Arthur Manuel. "Our people found their brutality terrifying. But they will not buckle under to police terror tactics. Our Elders, land-users and youth have made it very clear they will not be bullied or intimidated into leaving our village.

This assault is the latest in the struggle of the Secwepemc against the province and Sun Peaks Resort, including the arrest of two Elders and two men by the RCMP; restricting access to the land in August 2001; the demolition of a home at the Protection Centre in August. Recently the Secwepemc protesters were given until October 24th to remove themselves from the area, told they were "trespassing."

"What makes all this even more frustrating," Chief Manuel said about Friday's attack, "was that it was completely unneccessary. In recent days we have been in contact with both the Attorney General and to Senior RCMP officials asking them to continue the dialogue and to use the courts, if necessary, but not naked force against our people."

"What we saw with these latest arrests was the RCMP moving in... and acting outside of the direction of the courts. It is as if they see their job as protecting the interests of one economic sector - and one race of people - against the interests of our people, which have been recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada. We will not be treated like squatters on our own land."

The Sun Peaks recreation sites, including all skiing areas, are leased from the provincial government, as "crown land". They are located in Secwepemc traditional territory and within their 1862 Neskonlith Douglas reservation. Thge Sepwepemc have never signed treaties, sold or leased the land, nor surrendered it in any way.

For more information, contact: Chief Arthur Manuel, 250-314-7179.