[news] Aboriginal activists celebrate Sun Peaks victory

[ron]

PRESS RELEASE

 ABORIGINAL ACTIVISTS IN THE INTERIOR OF BC CELEBRATE VICTORY
 SECWEPEMC ELDERS FOUND NOT GUILTY
 ST AT IMC DEFENDER RELEASED FROM JAIL

 (Kamloops, January 10th, 2003) Aboriginal activists leave the Kamloops
court house jubilant: Honorable Madam Justice Lynn Smith found elders Irene
Billy and Charlie Willard along with Segwses and George Manuel Jr., not
guilty of contempt of court for refusing to leave their land at Skwelkwelk
welt. Also present was Lawrence Pascal of the neighboring St at imc
Nation who was released from the Kamloops Detention Centre where he had
been held for 2 months for defending his ancestors land against the
construction of Cayoosh Creek Ski Resort. An appeal in his case has been
granted.

 The Secwepemc people, accompanied by leaders and members of fellow
Interior Aboriginal nations, are proud of and inspired by the example given
by their elders Irene Billy and Charlie Willard and Segwses and George
Manuel Jr., on July 23rd, 2001 refused to obey a court injunction sought by
Sun Peaks to tear down the Skwelkwek welt Protection Centre. International
law considers the forceful removal of indigenous peoples from their
traditional territories genocide. Honorable Madam Justice Lynn Smith found
that the Crown had failed to prove the criminal intention of the Secwepemc
defenders beyond a reasonable doubt. In paragraph 73 of her judgment she
rules: The Crown having failed to prove that the defendants breached the
order, I find that these proceedings should be dismissed.

 Irene Billy, Elder, stated, as she left the court:  I always knew we were
right, this is our land, we have the right to be here and Sun Peaks and the
province cannot remove us from it. We love this land and we will continue
to protect it. 
 This case sets an important precedent for other cases of Aboriginal people
defending their lands around Skwelkwek welt and Sutikalh.

 Chief Manuel of the Neskonlith Band stressed:  I am delighted with the
court decision, our people are not criminals, they rightfully defend their
land and the courts are coming to realize that. It is the government and
the companies who refuse to deal with our land rights and human rights in a
meaningful way. 

 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
 Janice Billy: (250) 318 4290
 To speak to Lawrence Pascal: (250) 319 2084 (Chief Arthur Manuel)