And now:"S.I.S.I.S." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
S.I.S.I.S. note: Unconfirmed reports allege that the Chief of the Bridge
River band and his wife were assaulted in today's actions. Additionally,
CBC Vancouver finally reported the actions briefly on the noon radio news,
quoting Union of BC Indian Chiefs' President Stewart Philip as saying
today's actions were simply "the prelude to a spring offensive".
Contacts for more information are attached to the end of this release.
ST'AT'IMC NATION: PRESS STATEMENT, DECEMBER 11, 1998
The People and Chiefs of the St'at'imc Nation are uniting. Our united
St'at'imc Government will work on collective issues such as land, forests,
fish, wildlife and other natural resources. We plan to establish a
Government to Government relationship with the Province of British
Columbia and a Nation to Nation relationship with the Government of
Canada.
We are moving back onto our traditional lands to exercise our St'at'imc
Title and Rights. Our first step in this direction is signified by the
Delgamuukw Inn, located at Nzawt/Msut (South Seton). This is our first
traditional camp on St'at'imc lands away from our reservations. The
Supreme Court of Canada's Delgamuukw Decision (1997) verifies our
legitimate title to and rights on traditional lands. The Declaration of
the Lillooet Tribe, along with our continuing use of the land and its
resources, is proof of our St'at'imc Title and Rights to our traditional
territory. By asserting our Title and Rights as affirmed by Delgamuukw, we
are breaking the chains of the colonial reservation system.
We believe the governments of British Columbia and Canada are not taking
Delgamuukw seriously. Instead, in the year since the Delgamuukw Decision
was handed down, both governments and industry have carried on with
"business as usual". We have seen no change in this approach. This is
unacceptable to the St'at'imc People and Chiefs. Significant legislative
and policy changes must be made.
Today, on the first anniversary of the handling down of this historic
decision, we have agreed to launch a peaceful action during which we will:
* hand out information to the public to help them understand our issues and
concerns.
* stop logging trucks from taking logs out of our territory
* in solidarity with the Interior Alliance Nations, stop trains from moving
natural resources through our territory.
* stop provincial vehicles (except emergency vehicles) from moving through
the territory.
* We will carry out these activities from 8 AM until Noon on Friday, 11
December.
The St'atimc Chiefs are prepared to take action at several levels. We are
prepared to negotiate. We are prepared to take political, legal, and as
necessary direct action in order to facilitate a new relationship based on
mutual respect and understanding. Negotiations must be tailored to meet
the needs and rights of the St'at'imc People.
Present and future negotiations regarding our Title and Rights cannot
based on "extinguishment", but must be based on Government to Government,
Nation to Nation agreements which clarify the terms for co-existence.
Extinguishment is not an option. Constructive agreements which clarify
mutually agreed upon terms for peaceful coexistence are the only means to
achieve certainty for everyone in BC and Canada.
__________________________________________________________________________
LILLOOET TRIBAL COUNCIL: 80 Rancherie Drive
PO Box 1420. Lillooet, BC VOK 1VO Telephone (250) 256-7523 - Fax 7119
To: The Honourable Jean Chretien, Prime Minister, Government of Canada
The Honourable Glenn Clark, Premier Government of British Columbia
From: The St'at'imc Chiefs Date: 11 December 1998,
Re: December 11, 1997, Delgamuukw Decision
The attached Statements clearly indicate that the St'at'imc People and
Chiefs will unite to deal with St'at'imc Title and Rights. The Federal
Government's Comprehensive Land Claims Policy was extinguished by
Delgamuukw. Provincial policies and regulations must be changed to meet
the test of Delgmamuukw. St'at'imc laws, policies and regulations now have
to be recognized. This Statement establishes a Government to Government
relationship with the Province of British Columbia and a Nation to Nation
relationship with Canada. Business as usual is not acceptable.
With respect,
St'at'imc Chiefs (elected Chief Counsellors):
Chief Mike Leach, Chief Gary John, Chief Art Adolph, Chief Fred Alec,
Chief Robert Shintah, Chief Dave Terry, Chief Alan Stager, Chief Perry
Redan, Chief William Machell.
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ST'AT'IMC CHIEFS STATEMENT
We, the undersigned St'at'imc Chiefs, on behalf of our People, state the
following:
That we once again concur with our Chiefs' Statements made to the Crown
through our Lillooet Tribal Declaration, Memorials, and Deputations in the
early days of colonial development. That we welcome the news that the
Crown, through the Supreme Court of Canada's Delgamuukw Decision,
recognizes that we continue to hold title to our territory and everything
pertaining thereto.
That our Rights, which flow from our Title, must be addressed.
That we stand for a Government to Government relationship with the
Province of British Columbia and a Nation to Nation relationship with
Canada, so that all matters of past and present importance to the People
of each of our communities be subject to these discussions in order that
we shall have a definite understanding with regard to lands, water,
timber, game, fish, etc.
That we agree to sit as Chiefs' Council to address these matters.
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NO MORE FRAUD, THEFT, USURPATION, ECOCIDE AND GENOCIDE!
Prime Minister Jean Chretien: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
BC NDP Premier Glen Clark: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Solidarity and support: Union of BC Indian Chiefs: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Chief Robert Shintah (250) 457-6723 Pavilion Band
Chief Garry John - Seton Lake Band
Radio Phone: (250) 259-8277
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S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty
P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2
EMAIL : <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html
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