Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Four Secwepemc women, including a 75 year old Elder, were found guilty of intimidation when they blocked a road leading into what is known as the Sun Peaks Ski Resort on December 28, 2001. Judge Dohm ruled that the Secwepemc believed they had an asserted moral right but did not believe they had a legal right to conduct this action.

The Secwepemc defended their actions by bringing up the legal rights they have always known they had since the first occupation of their territories. The Judge based his decision on his EuroCanadian views held by the Canadian judicial system that we have no legal rights, despite many precedent setting court decisions.

We hold the ultimate legal and moral right: no signed treaties, no sale of our lands, and no extinguishment of our lands.

The Government of Canada and British Columbia continue to use the criminal court system and RCMP to alienate us from our inherent land and cultural rights (hunting, fishing) and absolutely refuses to acknowledge these rights.

We vow to continue our actions in any way we see fit to assert our Secwepemc Title and Rights to our unceded Secwepemc territories.

We call on all indigenous peoples of Turtle Island to stand up for their rights and fundamental freedoms and help us do so.