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Demonstration Planned at B.C. Assets and Lands Corporation Office: Secwepemc Opposed to BCAL Issuing a “License of Occupation” to Sun Peaks Resort

(Skwelkwekwelt (Sun Peaks), Secwepemc Territory/February 2, 2001)This is to advise the media that the Adams Lake and Neskonlith Secwepemc are taking their protest of the Sun Peaks Expansion to the B.C. Assets and Lands Corporation Office in Kamloops.

WHEN: Monday February 5, 2001, Beginning at 8:30 A.M.
WHERE: 145 3rd Avenue, Kamloops, B.C.

The B.C. Assets and Lands Corporation has announced their intention to issue a “License of Occupation” for the “Development of Ski Runs and Lifts on Mount Morrisey at Sun Peaks”.

Members of the Neskonlith and Adams Lake Bands will be holding an all day demonstration to show our adamant opposition to the actions of BCAL.

We intend to inform the public of our opposition to the granting of licenses and selling land on our traditional territories and within our 1862 Neskonlith Douglas Reserve. We will also inform potential buyers to be aware of unsettled land issues when purchasing what the province calls "Crown Land".

We consider BCAL’s granting of a “License of Occupation” to the Sun Peaks Resort a trespass on our 1862 Neskonlith Douglas Reserve and a further encroachment on our Secwepemc Aboriginal title territory.

The provincial government has breeched our constitutional right by not consulting us in any meaningful way; and by not studying the impacts on our culture, livelihood and lands; by not recognizing our title, rights and interests in developing the existing Sun Peaks Resort and their proposed expansion plan.

This event is one of a series of events planned to show our opposition to the $70 million dollar expansion project proposed by Nippon Cable and Sun Peaks Resort.

Our Elders and community members are determined to protect our traditional territory from further destruction and our title, rights, and interests from being violated and ignored.