http://apc.resist.ca/skwelkwekwelt_updates

Human Dignity:

The people are getting ready for the enforcement of another injunction at
the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center. It is a very terrible time for my
people. It is funny people from around the world immigrate to Canada from
counties where their freedom has been taken away from them, and these
immigrants are of course very grateful to be here, but little if very few
understand that the freedom which they enjoy has been taken away from us.

Freedom I guess that is the greatest gift that we have given this world. We
have lands and territories which have brought the four colors and four
directions together, it is our home and native land which has done that, but
we ourselves are denied our own freedom.

That is what is being felt by my sisters and my brothers at the
Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center. I heard my dear friends talk about, maybe
they will not come and tear down our Protection Center, but I had to tell
them, that is not true. I said the RCMP are going to come. They have an
injunction and an enforcement order, and they have the local Member of the
Legislature, Kevin K. Kruger, Darcy Alexander from Sun Peaks and Frank Quinn
the Condo Developer who are all pushing the RCMP to get up here and get us
out of here. I know they are all probably really mad at the police for not
coming here sooner and are probably telling them they are falling down on
the job.

The Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center will be meeting with Chief Nathan
Matthew, chairman of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, Chief Arthur Anthony
of Neskonlith and Chief Mike Retasket of Bonaparte on Thursday, September
16, 2004 at 3:30 pm at the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center or more
particularly the camp at Fairway 16 on the Sun Peaks Golf Course.

I believe the parties have a lot to talk about and I hope they resolve a lot
of problems the SNTC has in terms of an effective strategy relate to the
commercial activities at Sun Peaks, and how they are effectively
extinguishing or infringing on our Aboriginal Rights through third party
alienation.

It is clear that the activities of the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center
makes it very clear that the people do not want Sun Peaks, or Sun Peaks to
expand, the real problem is the pressure from the local business and
political community, have forced many of our chiefs to cave into supporting
Sun Peaks.

That is the tough spot our people are in. The feelings of my people are
very hurt and very clear that justice cannot be found in the conflict
between with the judicial system and the government here in Canada. On the
one hand the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) recognizes Aboriginal Rights, but
on the other hand the governments of Canada and British Columbia do not
implement that on the ground, instead they seek injunctions and enforcement
orders to put you in jail for criminal contempt of court.

It is in fact the failure of the Canadian government with regard to
implementation of the SCC decision that is the force behind what is
happening at Sun Peaks. The RCMP or police are being used for "political
purposes" by the Canadian and British Columbia governments; because the
government policy regarding determination of the size Sun Peaks should be,
has not consulted or accommodated the Aboriginal Rights of the Secwepemc
peoples. In fact there is no policy to include Secwepemc peoples in that
decision making process, despite the fact the SCC of Canada recognizes
Aboriginal Title where Sun Peaks exists.

People at Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center are just contemplating on how to
cope with this injustice. Everyone is thinking about should I leave to
fight another day or should I go to jail for criminal contempt of court.

These are terrible matters to think about, when you are in a so called free
country. But for indigenous peoples Canada is not free. It is built upon
our marginalization, impoverishment, colonization, subsidization and
freedom. This must change, if, Canada is to become a mature country where
indigenous peoples and settlers can live together, not as colonizers and
colonized, but as human beings. I guess if that happens, then maybe what we
are experiencing will be worth it.

I know the Supreme Court of Canada, has given the politicians at the House
of Commons and the Legislature of British Columbia direction through their
judicial decisions, but the politicians are all too greedy with regard to
control over what we own, that they cannot learn to share with us, what is
ours. The Supreme Court of Canada said at the end of Delgamuukw that "We
are all here to stay", but that has not been heard by Prime Minister Paul
Martin or Premier Gordon Campbell.

The implications of that is we own this land, and we need to reconcile
ownership with the power to make decisions, like how big should Sun Peaks
really be, so we can enjoy the environment and still have a thrifty
business. That is not happening. What we got is the old Hollywood Cowboy
and Indian approach, but that is not going to work any more. Our struggle
will continue.

Human dignity and respect, freedom and decolonization are our goal, that was
in our heart yesterday as we talked well into the night. I share a few
pictures of our home. Will keep you informed.

Arthur