[Indigsol] Fwd:Update on Secwepemc Blockade to Protect Ancestral Burial Site

[mattm-b at resist.ca]

Wednedsay April 1, 11 am UPDATE:

The blockade itself has been postponed to a later time based on spiritual
guidance and advice. A continuous camp presence, however, is currently
being maintained and ceremonies for protection and guidance are being
conducted. Police helicopters are circling above and RCMP is around the
area.

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: ACTION: SECWEPEMC ROADBLOCK TO PROTECT ANCETRAL BURIAL SITE From:
   "NYM Communications" <nymcommunications at hotmail.com>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- POST WIDELY


MEDIA ADVISORY

SECWEPEMC TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR ANCIENT BURIAL & VILLAGE
SITES

CP Rail and Trans Canada Highway expansion desecrates our Secwepemc burial
sites



When: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 10:30 am
What: Secwepemc Peoples and their allies will be conducting a roadblock to
demand the halt of the Trans Canada Highwayand Canadian Pacific Railway
expansion.


Where: unceded Secwepemc Territory, in between Kamloops and Chase, BC,
near Pritchard, BC (about 3 km from Pritchard)

Look for cars, signs and tent.  Coming from Kamloops will be in the right
hand side before Pritchard and coming from Chase is on the left
after Pritchard, BC.

Demands: To halt the expansion of the Trans Canada Highway and CP Railway
along this highway corridor bordering the South Thompson River and Shuswap
Lake because this is the home to thousands of ancient
burial and village sites that must be protected.

Background:  Secwpemc ancestral remains of a Secwepemc woman (dated back
7,500 years) were found by a team of archaeologist at a site that is being
threatened by CP Rail and Trans Canada Highway
expansion.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2009 a meeting was held at Neskonlith Hall.  On
Sunday March 29, 2009 it was determined the remains were going to be
placed back where they were found.  A ceremony at the site was done and
the
Sacred fire has been lit and the protection of the site is under
vigilance.

This is one of thousands of remains and artefacts that have been found by
settlers and archeologists along this highway and railway corridor and
valley, where Secwepemc Peoples have never given authority or permission
to the Canadiain and BC government to build the highway or railway, both
in the past and present.  The desecration must stop.  Protection of the
sacred burial sites is the priority here.

This site lies within unceded, unsurrendered Secwepemc Territory, where
the Secwepemc Peoples of the Shuswap Lakes refuse to enter into the
current BC Treaty Process for a land settlement because of the fraudulent
extinguishment of Secwepemc lands and title.

Instead Secwepemc Peoples choose to assert Secwepemc title and rights to
the land and challenge the governments’ authority over the land and
resources while working on many international levels to bring attention to
this.

 “We will never go dig up the cemeteries in the village of Chase or
Kamloops, it would be considered a hate crime against humanity.  We expect
the same respect.”

Media Contact:
Miranda Dick  (250) 256 1548
(250) 679-7663



NYM Communications
NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT
FIGHT FOR LIFE
WARRIORS UNITE FROM ALASKA TO ARGINTINA






-- 
"All oppression is relative.
All oppression is specific."

- Albert Memmi
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