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Vancouver, Coast Salish Territory/July 31, 2001 - The four Skwelkwek'welt Defenders, Elder Irene Billy, Henry Saul, George Manuel Jr. and Charles Willard, will know on August 27th when they will face criminal contempt proceedings. Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), stated "The Skwelkwek'welt Defenders have the courage to stand firm in the defense of their Aboriginal Title and to protect their Aboriginal Rights. In order to prevent further arrests, there needs to be open dialogue where the governments of Canada and British Columbia sit down with the Secwepemc representatives to address Secwepemc land rights at Skwelkwek'welt."

Chief Phillip observed that Minister Robert Nault could have visited the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Centre himself when he was in the Interior this past weekend. "Instead he avoided Skwelkwek'welt and tried to wipe his hands of the whole affair. He has paraded across the country saying there is a need for more accountability in First Nation communities. Is he not responsible, as Minister of Indian Affairs, to enter into discussions regarding the heart of the Sun Peaks issue, the constitutionally protected Aboriginal Title and Rights of the Secwepemc? Apparently, he thinks not. If he is not accountable to First Nation communities or to those who elected his party to government, just who is Minister Nault accountable too?" Chief Phillip further stated "Under the Constitution Act, Minister Nault cannot just conveniently forget 'Indians and Indian lands.' Aboriginal Title and Rights are 'recognized and affirmed' in section 35 of Canada's Constitution and further recognized by legal decisions like the Delgamuuk'w decision."

The Skwelkwek'welt (Sun Peaks) issue was discussed last Friday when a UBCIC delegation met with Premier Gordon Campbell, Attorney General Geoff Plant and Minister George Abbott. Part of the delegation included Chief Arthur Manuel and spokesperson for the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Centre, Janice Billy.

"There was a willingness expressed by Premier Campbell and Attorney General Plant to explore ways to understand our different positions on Aboriginal Title and Rights. There will be issues where we can simply agree to disagree. The meeting is the beginning of a working relationship with the province. Unfortunately, due to the arrogant position of Minister Nault, we have had no such discussions with the Federal government."

"Rather than hiding his head in obsolete policies, like the Comprehensive Claims Policy, Minister Nault should work up the courage to face and accept the fiduciary responsibility of the Federal Government is a fact. It is most certainly a fact that Minister Nault must be involved in Skwelkwek'welt. Until he does, there will be no resolution and that's a fact."