PRESS ADVISORY  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 24, 2004

HUNDREDS CONVERGE AGAINST SUN PEAKS RESORT ON AUG 29

Hundreds of protestors will be converging on Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops, BC on August 29, 2004 to protest Sun Peaks Resort expansion onto unceded Secwepemc territories. The provincial and federal government’s complicity in granting Sun Peaks leases on unceded traditional territories demonstrates that the government is yet again turning a blind eye to Aboriginal rights and to Aboriginal people who have occupied the lands since time immemorial.

The Delgamuukwz Haida and Taku River Tlingit court decisions clearly obligate the Province of BC and the Sun Peaks Resort to undertake substantive consultations with Aboriginal people prior to proceeding with development projects. As a result of protesting the development, to date 54 arrests of Elders and youth have been made. Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs stated, “Our Elders and our young people will not be intimidated into abandoning their struggle to seek a just resolution of the Land Question in British Columbia.”

Author of the best-selling book No Logo Naomi Klein recently visited the Secwepemc territories to witness first hand the destruction of the land. She writes: “Let’s be clear about something: the massive expansion of the Sun Peaks Resort is an act of violence. The Secwepemc have never ceded this land, and their Elders have clearly said no to this development. New condos are going up, and traditional Secwepemc cabins and sweat lodges are being brutally torn down.”

In June 2004, Sun Peaks announced another phase of expansion that will now total $285 million, primarily around the selling of real estate to serve as a playground for tourists. This will eventually develop 10,352 bed units over the next 10 years.

Various other groups and organizations have endorsed and will be supporting this convergence. Speakers present during the August 29th demonstration will include defenders, Elders and Youth of Secwepemc territories, Chief Stewart Philip (President of Union of BC Indian Chiefs), June Quipp of Pila’lit Nation (Cheam) also fighting illegal expansion and clearcuts, 72-year old great grandmother Betty Krawczyk (Women in the Woods) jailed for protesting the Working Forest legislation, Council of Canadians BC Regional Organizer Tara Scurr, and Professor Hari Sharma (President of South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy).

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Janice Billy- spokesperson of Skewelkwek’welt Protection Center: 250-318-4290; Don Bain- Executive Director of Union of BC Indian Chiefs: 604-813-9709; Harsha Walia- No One is Illegal: 778-885-0040