[antiwar-van] urgent picket-mon

[noii-van at resist.ca]

*** please post widely **
check website for updates: http://apc.resist.ca/skwelkwekwelt

There will also be an upcoming demonstration against Delta Hotels on Sep
23 (details TBC)

1) Picket in front of DIA offices: Monday Sep 13
2) Message from Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center
3) Massive call-in/ fax campaign: Sep 13- Sep 17

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>
URGENT DEMONSTRATION:
SUPPORT SKWELKWEK'WELT DEFENDERS
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13
@ NOON
<><><><<><><><><><><><><><>

We will meet at Burrard Skytrain Station (on street level at the benches)
and we will march one block to Department of Indian Affairs- BC Regional
Office 1138 Melville Street.

The interlocutory injunction sought by Sun Peaks and granted by the BC
Supreme court will likely be enforced soon, likely within the next 72
hours, by the RCMP. The Skwelkwek'welt camp defenders will face arrest,
despite the fact that they are legally residing on their traditional
territories.

Art Manuel writes "The court order is kind of a BC form of legitimate
aparthied. It is clear that the Secwepemc peoples have legal and
constitutional rights at Sun Peaks but they are being wilfully ignored by
the federal and provincial governments and by Sun Peaks. The failure of
the federal policy to reconcile the differences between Secwepemc peoples,
the province and Sun Peaks will more than likely lead to arrests, tonight,
tomorrow or the day after.  The RCMP will again be used as a political
force to fill the gap for the Canadian government's outdated and
internationally condemned Indian Aboriginal Title extinguishment policy."

In the face of imminent arrest, the Secwepemc people need and call for our
support and solidarity. We will be picketing at the Department of Indian
Affairs, a colonial creation to "manage" the Indian question, responsible
for a policy based on Extinguishment of Aborginal Title and Rights, that
allows corporations like Sun Peaks to continue business-as-usual despite
legally binding decisions like Delgamuukw and Haidi to honour Aboriginal
Title.

(There are several key targets close-by for flyering:
Hotel Vancouver operated by Fairmont which manages Delta Hotels, Delta
Hotels 550 West Hastings, Law Courts (800 Smithe).
* Some people were planning on meeting after the picket at Vancouver Art
Gallery to coordinate that *)

Organized by Land, Freedom, and Decolonization Coalition
noii-van at resist.ca
778 552 2099
http://apc.resist.ca/skwelkwekwelt


==> Message from Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center

To all Indigenous Leaders and People
To All Support Groups and Friends

We are requesting urgent letters of support for our actions to
-occupy our lands at Skwelkwekwelt (what is classfied as crown land)
-protect our traditional lands from destruction
-re-establish the connection of Elders and youth to restore our
Secwepemc culture and language at our residences we are building up the
mountain

We maintain that we own our lands because we never signed treaties, sold
or surrenedered the land in any way.

We demand the right to exist on our lands and save ourselves from
extinction and extermination

Secwepemculecw Traditional Peoples Government
Box 837
Chase, B. C. V0E 1M0
e mail  jrbilly at mail.ocis.net
Janice Billy   250-318-4290
Arnie Jack    250-320-7822
Art Manuel   250-319-0068



==> MASSIVE CALL-IN/ FAX CAMPAIGN !!!
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13- FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17

The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier
Government of British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W 9E1
Fax: (250) 387-0087
Email: premier at gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250-387-1715

Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection
Honourable Bill Barisoff
PO Box 9047 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC
V8W 9E2
Telephone: 250 387-1187
Fax: 250 387-1356
E-mail: WLAP.Minister at gems9.gov.bc.ca

Minister of State for Resort Development
Sandy Santori
PO Box Stn Provincial Government
Victoria, BC
V8W 9E2
tel#: 250-953-4246
fax#: 250-953-4250
Email: Sandy.Santori.MLA at leg.bc.ca


Darcy Alexander
Vice President, General Manager
Sun Peaks Resort
1280 Alpine Rd.
Sun Peaks, BC
V0E 1Z1
tel#: 250-578-7222
fax#: 250-578-7223
email: marketing at sunpeaksresort.com


Hon Andy Scott
Department of Indian and Northern Affairs
tel: 613-992-1067
fax: 613-996-995
Scott.A at parl.gc.ca


RE: STOP EXPANSION OF SUN PEAKS RESORT IN SECWEPEMC TERRITORY

I am writing in support of the Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center that has
been protecting Secwepemc lands and culture that is being destroyed by Sun
Peaks Resort.

It is clear that despite the fact that the Supreme Court of Canada has
recognized Aboriginal Title, and that the Canadian Constitution of 1982
protects Aboriginal Title as an Aboriginal Right yet your political
decision has been to extinguish Aboriginal Title. The recent Haida
decision added a legal duty government and industry to consult and
accommodate Aboriginal Title even before it has been proved. It is clear
that the recent endorsement by Canada and British Columbia of the $285
million dollar expansion of Sun Peaks is a deliberate and clear effort to
extinguish Aboriginal Title.

Negotiations under the present extinguishment policy and process is
failing (those negotiations have only been a benefit to those negotiators
who get a pay check from those funds for the last 10 years); that the
injunctions are not necessarily always conducive in balancing the
interests between business and Aboriginal Rights; and that full blown
court decision takes 10 to 14 years; and all of these remedies put
Secwepemc people at a decided disadvantage when dealing with the
governments that are committed to an out dated status quo of marginalizing
indigenous economic and cultural rights.

I reiterate the position of the Skwelkwek’welt Protection Center that
wants the expansion of Sun Peaks stopped and demand a new federal policy
that recognizes Aboriginal Title in line with the legal mandate to consult
and accommodate Aboriginal Title.
Yours sincerely,