June 3, 2001

Chief Arthur Manuel and Native Youth Movement

Their Message about Police Harassement

The Native Youth Movement (NYM) are meeting at Skwelkwek'welt this weekend. They are carrying on a number of activities. First of all, they are maintaining their existing camp site near Darcy Alexander's office but they are establishing two new locations of activities.

First they are putting a roof on the log building they erected between Sun Peaks ski resort and McGilvery Lake. They are also establishing a camp at McGilvery Lake.

They will also be putting up a Shuswap traditional temporary shelter between Sun Peaks existing resort and Mount Morrisay. One of the local elders is teaching the Native Youth how to make these dwellings.

The Native Youth have also asked a local tour operator to no longer carry on activities without the permit of the local traditional land users. The tour operator with the assistance of Sun Peaks business manager and Native Youth Movement removed their canoes.

These activities have attracted the attention of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) from Kamloops and Chase, British Columbia, Canada.

Last night the RCMP went to the McGilvery Lake camp. Their were four police cars and 5 police officers. They took video pictures of everyone and they took down all the license numbers.

The police are obviously attempting to make my people feel uncomfortable about using their traditional territory.

If you need any further information you can contact either Amanda Soper or Niki Manuel at cell (250) 371-0361 or Janice Billy at cell (250) 318-4290. They are up at Skwelkwek'welt.

Click on the highlighted words to see the pictures of the McGilvery Lake camp site from yesterday.

The moving the canoe picture is the event of the camping operation moving.

The cooking is Elder Sarah Deneault (arrested during BCAL occupation), Janice Billy (Main Cook) and Natalie (European Supporter).

The RCMP also harassed Natalie during their official intrusion. The police were asked what they were going to do but they refused to answer.