PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2002

The United Native Nations Society, a provincial advocacy organization is seeking your support to actively boycott the provincial referendum on the principles of the British Columbia treaty process.

All provincial residents of British Columbia have a voice in the BC treaty process whether it be through municipal, provincial or federal elections by electing those representatives and we also have further representation through local and regional advisory boards that participate in the treaty process. How many layers of participation do British Columbians want or need?

The real issue here is whether or not the BC Liberals are committed to fair and just negotiations with BC First Nations and the federal government. We cannot support a majority voting on minority rights (in this case, constitutionally protected rights). The UNN does not support a referendum when the questions are confusing and ambiguous.

The responsible action of this government would be to drop this referendum and admit they made a mistake and return to negotiate treaties in a fair and equitable way that the federal government has already instructed the provincial government to do.

The UNN supports non-violent civil disobedience in relationship to the ballot. We are seeking your support to collect and deface ballots and forward those spoiled ballots to the UNN provincial office and we will work with other community organizations in developing a strategy to address the community concerns to the BC Liberal government.

Do not participate and send your ballot in.
Forward your spoiled ballots to:

United Native Nations Society – Provincial Office
110, 425 Carrall Street
Vancouver, BC
V6B 6E3

For further information
contact Scott Clark, President at
(604) 688-1821, toll-free 1-800-555-9756 or (604) 219-7190.