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Secwepemc Territory, Chase B.C. Canada - The Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center was re-established yesterday near MacGillvery Lake in the Skwelkwek'welt (Sun Peaks) area by twenty-five people from Neskonlith and their supporters. The group brought up supplies in the -20 degree temperatures for the construction of Winter tents and they will participate in the rebuilding of the cord house destroyed last month by the British Columbia Lands and Assets and Sun Peak Ski Resort. Janice Billy, spokesperson for the Protection Center, said that "the camp has been established and it is permanently occupied. We are not protesters, we are simply moving out onto our traditional land, as we always have."

The new Protection Center is outside of the area covered by last December’s court injunction but the people of Neskonlith and their supporters were met by a contingent of RCMP who photographed them and took down the license plates of their vehicles. The people were also verbally harassed and insulted, with one RCMP officer demanding to know if they were "human."

"Once again we see the RCMP acting in an abusive manner and acting - vigilante style - outside of the law," said Janice Billy. "There is nothing that prevents us from being there, and nothing that can justify their racial insults. Out people have Aboriginal Title to these lands and we will continue to exercise our rights."

We will continue to solicit assistance from Human Rights Observers to monitor police behavior toward our people as they live on our traditional territories. We will inform international supporters of all violations of our basic human rights.

For more information contact Chief Arthur Manuel, cell phone: 250-314-7179.