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Kamloops RCMP Take Sides in Sun Peaks Dispute: B.C. Civil Liberties Association Called on to Investigate Violations of Aboriginal Protester's Rights.

Vancouver, Coast Salish Territory -  Chief Stewart Phillip responded to the unfolding events at the Sun Peaks Resort outside of Kamloops, BC where Native Youth have been charged and arrested by stating that, "I am absolutely disgusted by the violent displays of racism demonstrated by patrons of the Sun Peaks Resort against the defenders of Skwelkwek'welt."  Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, further stated, "According to our information, the protesters were only peacefully demonstrating against uninvited and unwelcomed encroachments against their Aboriginal Title and they were forced to defend themselves from an unprovoked, violent assault by a non-Native patron of the Resort."

Chief Stewart Phillip is also very concerned with the overly aggressive actions of the RCMP who impounded the car of Todd Lamirande, an Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) correspondent who was covering the peaceful protest at the Sun Peaks Resort, in order to confiscate video tapes of the protest.

"The RCMP not only failed to protect the fundamental and democratic right of peaceful protest and the constitutionally protected Aboriginal Rights of the protesters but then used their powers to seize video tapes from a reporter." One has to ask, who are the bad guys here? "It looks like the Kamloops Detachment of the RCMP either has a bias against the Native Youth or they have racially biased police procedures when it comes to Aboriginal peoples", said Chief Stewart Phillip. "Niki Manuel was the victim of the assault and she is charged with mischief? This is totally ludicrous. We want a civilian agency to look into the actions of the Kamloops Detachment of the RCMP."

The heavy handed oppressive approach of the RCMP is a sign that the police have obviously taken sides in the dispute because the peaceful protest of the Native Youth, Elders and the community land users are impacting the operations of Sun Peaks Resort.  This is further evident in a new injunction filed by Sun Peaks Resort to minimize the presence of the protestors by asking the court to forbid the protestors to wear army surplus clothing, to prohibit building traditional bark houses and to post any signs.

Chief Phillip said, "these are indications of the degree and level of systemic racism that Aboriginal people are becoming routinely subjected to as a consequence of the evident agenda of corporate greed. Big business are clearly intent upon leaving no sacred ground for First Nations in BC. We are giving serious consideration to asking the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the BC Human Rights Commission to investigate the police actions at Sun Peaks, because the police cannot be trusted to behave objectively in light of recent events."

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs fully supports the defensive actions of the defenders of Skwelkwek'welt and will encourage its members to support the Secwepemc in their protracted struggle for recognition of their Aboriginal Title. "It is not only the fight of the Secwepemc, it is a fight of all First Nations. If this kind of intimidation and harassment continues, we will be forced to organize on a much larger scale to vigorously defend our Aboriginal Title."