[IPSM] Tahltan Elders Occupy Band Office

[Devin Butler Burke]

Press Release
Tahltan Elders Peaceful Demonstration
"Jerry Asp, You are no longer Chief of the Tahltan People"

Tahltan Elders are in their 11th day of occupation of the Tahltan Band 
office in Telegraph, B.C.  In an unprecedented move 35 elders took over
the  band office on January 17, 2005.  This day will go down in Tahltan
history as the day the Elders took back their power.  Elders have played a
very marginal role in band, nation and corporate decision-making.  Our
land, resources and rights are being sold out from under us. The spiritual
and collective power is so strong, no power, force could change or
overpower. The senior elders hold meetings throughout the day, they tell
stories.  They give age-old teachings from our ancestors and their great
love and reverence for the land - TAHLTAN TRADITIONAL TERRITORY- Prayers
are offered for our nation, the land and all of Creation, including Jerry
Asp.  We have laughed together, cried together, and planned together. 
Each day brings and new teaching in many disguises.  Yet, we stand strong
to protect the land for future generations.  This position is
non-negotiable.

The Tahltan elders are demanding the resignation of the Indian Act Chief
J. Asp.  In their words they have fired the past Chief.  We are united on
this stand. One elder says, "He has done enough harm to our People, and
puts us in danger of losing everything."

Clarence Quock, Band Councilor and runner for Jerry Asp informed the
elders  that a court injunction will be applied to have the dissidents
removed.  Asp's  approach with the elders and his reference to them as
dissidents has outraged Tahltans, who hold elders in high regard.  The use
of courts and laws to repress those without the financial means to employ
legal representation is well-known.  However, for an Aboriginal person to
do the same is shameful.  This story is about the haves and the have-nots.
 Asp is prepared to repress the dissenting voices in order to maintain a
strangle hold on his people.  Such control by his large family has been
evident since Tahltans began organizing in the 70's. Traditional Tahltans
are tired of having this large family dominate political discussions,
political organizing and thwart efforts to unite our people.

Asp and family have learned the white mans' way well and are now using
this  knowledge against their people.  They have mistakenly discounted us,
saying  we do not have any educated people. Our traditional knowledge goes
back to  time immemorial. Back to a time without papers, computers, and
contemporary  law.  This knowledge has been upheld in the courts.

Last night, an elder's home was entered and an elder assaulted.  This
display of aggression was done in favor of Jerry Asp.  With each passing
day tension mounts and this will spark such behavior in frustration.   The
elders have never threatened any band staff or kept them out of the
office. The elders are here in peace to strengthen our nation, not to put
up further divisions among our people.

Elders talk about the lack of accountability, transparency and
representation.  Mining companies will destroy our country in the name of
profit. Leaders like Jerry Asp, Curtis Rattray and Clarence Quock have
stated that there is nothing we could do.  We think not. We believe not.
The elders are the Keepers of land, culture and language. When we stand
with them, we stand with our ancestors, whose spirits have been with us
every day of the occupation.  We are spiritual people, we believe in
ourselves.  The collective is stronger than any one person, family, or
belief.  The Tahltan world view or philosophy though unwritten runs strong
through our hearts, our minds and out veins.

For more information contact Terri Brown  (250) 235-3151 or
terribrown at sympatico.ca  or Oscar Dennis  (250) 234-3161 or
oscardennis at hotmail.com

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