[IPSM] Controversy over Aboriginal "Good Governance" Symposium

[samir]

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTROVERSY OVER ABORIGINAL "GOOD GOVERNANCE" SYMPOSIUM
ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS IN VIOLATION OF THEIR OWN RESOLUTION

Secwepemculecw, July 27, 2005- Traditional Secwpemc, including Elders
and youth, are outraged by the "First Nations Symposium on Good
Governance" being held at Kamloops from July 26-28,2005.

This symposium is being sponsored by multi-national corporations such as
Sun Peaks Resort that continuously violate indigenous human rights.
"Corporations like Sun Peaks Resort are now trying to impose corporate
rule and control over Indian Bands to be able to continue their land
theft" says Janice Billy, spokesperson of the Skwekwek'welt Protection
Center.

"If the National Chief Phil Fontaine, the keynote speaker, does not
boycott this event he will put the credibility of the Assembly of First
Nations in serious question" says Arthur Manuel, spokesperson of
Indigenous Network of Economies and Trade. The Assembly of First Nations
signed a resolution in July 2001 in support of the Secwepemc people.
This resolution maintains support for "our people to collectively
exercise their Aboriginal Title to their land in order to protect their
traditional territories" and further holds that the Assembly of First
Nations will no longer hold meetings at Delta hotels and calls upon Sun
Peaks Ski resort to immediately stop the expansion of Sun Peaks Ski
Resort.

The UN Rapporteur on Indigenous Human Rights Rudolfo Stavenhagen visited
Secwepemc territories in 2004 to document the lack of effective
consultation by Sun Peaks Resort. In his final report he stated,
"Aboriginal peoples should always be consulted in advance and be active
participants in the design and execution of any development programme or
project in their regions or territories." Canada has a legal,
constitutional and moral imperative to consult and accommodate the
desires of Aboriginal peoples in this province, as affirmed by a series
of recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions.

Journalist and author of the best-selling book No Logo, Naomi Klein,
visited Secwepemc territories to document such injustices.  She writes:
"Let's be clear about something: the massive expansion of the Sun Peaks
Resort is an act of violence. The Secwepemc have never ceded this land,
and their Elders have clearly said no to this development. New condos
are going up, and traditional Secwepemc cabins and sweat lodges are
being brutally torn down." Other supporters of the Secwepemc include
Council of Canadians, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, and Canadian
Union of Public Employees BC.

Three youth are presently serving jail time for protecting Aboriginal
Rights to Sewepemc territories against Sun Peaks Resort aggressive
development. Mother of two children, Nicole Manuel, was recently
released from Alouette Correctional Centre for Women in a highly
publicized event. 

Billy states "The Assembly of First Nations is in direct violation of
their own resolution and the collective decision-making process by
participating in a conference sponsored by Sun Peaks."

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Media contacts: Arthur Manuel 250.319.0688  or Janice Billy: (250) 318
4290