[antiwar-van] (UPDATE) RESISTANCE WITHOUT RESERVATION (AUG 29)

[noii-van at resist.ca]

* please forward to your contacts *

To those interested/ available in organizing for the convergence, much
support is needed organizing logistics, outreach, travel etc. Meetings are
typically on on Wednesdays. Please do contact us at noii-van at resist.ca or
call 778-552-2099.


RESISTANCE WITHOUT RESERVATION !!!

CONVERGENCE AGAINST SUNPEAKS TO PROTECT UNCEDED TERRITORIES

* We are requesting that people please book tickets in advance so we can
estimate the number of buses to organize, how much food is needed etc.
Also, if you are planning on going up there on your own, please do let us
know as well so the community knows how many people to expect and how much
billeting/food/camp ground is necessary.

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SUNDAY AUG 29, 2004

Buses leave Vancouver at Broadway/ Commerical Skytrain Station (Safeway
parking lot) on Saturday Aug 28, 2004 @ 10:30 AM sharp. Will return by
Sunday night.

Tickets for buses are 5-30$ (no one turned away)
We encouarge organizations sending delegates to keep in mind that the
actual cost per person is 45$ per person.

Tickets can be picked up at Co-op Bookstore at 1391 Commercial Drive,
Phone: 604-253-6442. Speak with Ray (available Tuesday-Saturday) or you
can call 778-552-2099 or email noii-van at resist.ca to arrange other
pick-up. Tickets will also be sold at Under the Volanco.

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Organized by Land,Freedom Decolonization Coalition in conjunction with
NYM-Secwepemc Chapter and the Skwek'wekwelt Protection Center.

For more information, contact noii-van at resist.ca or call 778-552-2099

Sun Peaks Resort and Delta Hotels are built on Secwepemc territories that
have never been ceded or surrendered. Land and Water BC disregarded the
Secwepemc, who said NO to expansion in stakeholder meetings, and in June
2001 obtained a court injunction to forcibly remove Secwepemc from their
homelands. The Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center, at the Resort's entrance,
claims Aboriginal Title & Rights. For this exercise of rights, 54 arrests
with charges from criminal contempt and intimidation by blocking a road to
resisting arrest have been made. In January 2003, a BC judge found four
Elders not guilty for refusal to obey an injunction to tear down the
Center, and as she left court, Elder Irene Billy stated: "I always knew we
were right, this is our land, and Sun Peaks and the province cannot remove
us from it."

With the 2010 Olympic bid, environmental destruction and expansion on
unceded territories will be perpetuated yet further. In the spirit of
solidarity movements that honour front-line struggles of communities,
rather than organizing actions in the city, it is imperative to escalate
the fight against state and corporate colonialism on the territories
itself.


TAKE BACK THE LAND!
CAMPAIGN AGAINST SUNPEAKS

* The community is attempting to build a campaign against Sun Peaks and
Delta Hotels and their investors by initially collecting signatures/
endorsements.
Please email noii-van at resist.ca if you endorse the demands below.


We stand united in protesting the Canadian government's continued
criminalization of the Secwepemc people. They have been targeted for their
use of their own land and for speaking out against Sun Peaks resort
Corporation and the British Columbia government who continue to
expropriate and destroy what was once a vibrant and abundant ecosystem. We
stand opposed to the Canadian colonial system and support the Secwepemc
people fighting state and corporate interests in British Columbia.

Sun Peaks Resort is built in Secwepemc territories, land which has never
been ceded, released, nor surrendered. The BC government therefore has no
authority over the Secwepemc people or their territories, or over the
resources within the land.

Despite the recognition of the inherent land rights of Aboriginal People
as Aboriginal Title in Delgamuukw, and despite the Haida decision that
requires provincial and private interests to consult, obtain consent and
accommodate Aboriginal interests prior to pursuing development on
Aboriginal territories, federal and provincial governments still insist
indigenous peoples must prove their title within the court system rather
than by abiding by the principal of Title itself. The Royal Proclamation
of 1763 asserts that "And We do further strictly enjoin and require all
Persons whatever who have either wilfully or inadvertently seated
themselves upon any Lands within the Countries above described, or upon
any other Lands which, not having been ceded to or purchased by Us, are
still reserved to the said Indians as aforesaid, forthwith to remove
themselves from such Settlements."

The development of Sun Peaks resorts has continued without participation
of those with Title to the land. 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.

We stand in support of the Secwepemc people and in their fight in defense
of the land in maintaining their livelihood. In support of them and their
communities struggle, we make the following demands:

1)  We demand that all charges be dropped for all peoples charged in
relation to protection of Aboriginal Rights and Title in Skwelkwekwelt
territory.

2)  We demand that no development or expansion continue on unceded
territories that does not honour the rights of indigneous peoples as Title
holders.

Undersigned,