[news] Cheam Band Battles DFO And RCMP

[resist admin]

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: UBCIC Press Release List <jpc1 at ubcic.bc.ca>
Date:  Tue, 13 May 2003 13:29:38 -0700


May 13, 2003

Cheam Band Officials And Membership Battle DFO Officers And RCMP
Officers On The Banks Of The Fraser River

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, May 13, 2003)  Earlier this morning
Sidney Douglas, Head Band Councilor of the Cheam Indian Band, was
violently accosted by Department of Fisheries (DFO) officers while
operating a band-owned grader near the Fraser River.  Head Councilor
Douglas was beaten, pepper sprayed and handcuffed.

RCMP officers are now attending the scene in growing numbers.
Simultaneously, Cheam Band members are massing at the site.  The Cheam
has issued a call for support to the Bands in the immediate area.  Cheam
Band has also notified Canadian National Railway to curtail rail traffic
until the incident is fully resolved.

Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs
stated, "I am outraged at the brutal, heavy-handed tactics of both the
DFO and the RCMP personnel involved in this incident.  Such senseless
and provocative actions shall only serve to escalate an already volatile
situation."

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs offers its full and unconditional support
to the Band Council and to the People of the Cheam Indian Band.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
June Quipp, Cheam Indian Band        Cell: (604) 819-4805
Chief Stewart Phillip                Cell: (250) 490-5314

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Established in 1969, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is a
political organization protecting the Aboriginal Title and Rights of our
member communities. We are based in Kamloops and have an office in
Vancouver. For further details visit our website at http://www.ubcic.bc.ca