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