Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Today is the 4th anniversary of the Delgamuukw Supreme Court of Canada decision which affirmed our rights and title to our lands. December 10, was International Human Rights Day.

The Canadian and British Columbia government absolutely refuse to recognize as human beings. Despite all the precedent setting legal cases won by indigenous peoples in Canada, Secwepemc are being evicted from their homes and land. This is genocide. It is absolutely unbelievable and unacceptable that this would happen in Canada in the year 2001.

On Monday, December 10 on International Human Rights Day, Sun Peaks Ski Resort and the Province of British Columbia demolished two homes in the Skwelkwekwelt and MacGillvray Lake AREA.

We received a court injunction to leave those areas. We agreed to leave peacefully. There was to be a court hearing on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 11 to test the legality of the Government of British Columbia removal of the house at MacGillvray Lake.

On Monday night, the Government of British Columbia and Sun Peaks Ski Resort went into MacGillvray Lake while no one was there and used 3 big machines to totally demolish the house. They bulldozed down the sacred sweatlodges, traditional cedar bark lodge, removed sacred tobacco ties, and left no trace that we had ever been there.

The house demolished was built by a young Secwepemc woman with the help of many, many volunteers. It was a very empowering experience for them. They re-connected with the land, lived on the land and learned many traditional teachings from the Elders.

The young family which includes a 2 year old and a 10 year old had just moved into the house.

Upon returning to the site on Tuesday, the family found the house bulldozed to the ground with absolutely no trace that it had ever been there. They discovered the sweatlodges had been bulldozed to make way for groomed ski trails.

The pain felt by the young family is incredible. The 10 year old son cried and cried upon seeing the damage.

This incredible pain was also felt by the Elders who were at the Skwelkwekwelt Protection Center on Monday, Dec. 10 when they were also forcibly removed from their site.

They just cannot understand how human being can treat other human beings with such atrocious, despicable behavior all under the guise of "law".

In all incidences of forcible removal of our people, the actions of the British Columbia government are illegal. We have been guaranteed rights under the Delgamuukw Supreme Court Decision of 1997. We also have our Natural Law handed down to us by our ancestors. This law states we must protect and take care of the lands and all creation so future generations may live.

Despite the destruction and devastation felt by the Secwepemc Elders and youth, their spirit is not broken and they are more determined than ever to seek justice for our people.

We want the world to know that genocide and ethnic cleansing is not something that happens in other countries, but right here in British Columbia, Canada.

We seek your support to obtain recognition of us as Secwepemc Peoples and for a fair and just settlement of our lands.

We ask you to express your indignation and horror to these genocidal actions by the Government of British Columbia and Sun Peaks Ski Resort Corporation. Visit the contact information path.

Canadian & B.C. Government contact information:

* Government of British Columbia
* B.C. Government Directory
* Indian and Norther Affairs
* Indian and Norther Affairs Contact
* Indian and Norther Affairs Directory

Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chretian
Phone: 613-992-4211 ~ FAX: 613-941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca

Gordon Campbell, B.C. Premier
E-mail: premier@gov.bc.ca

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
E-mail: NAPInfo@inac.gc.ca

Minister - Robert D. Nault
Deputy Minister - Mr. Marc Lafrenière
Associate Deputy Minister - Ms. Marie E. Fortier
Phone: 819-953-3760 ~ FAX: 819-953-4941

British Columbia Region
Indian and Inuit Affairs
Suite 600, 1138 Melville Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6E 4S3
Phone: 604-775-7114 ~ 604-775-5100
FAX: 604-666-2546

For more information, on the Sun Peaks Ski Resort situation, contact Janice Billy by cell phone: 250-318-4290.