Non-Native residents upset

Page 3

A blockade near Cultus Lake was narrowly averted at the last minute when the long weekend protest planned by the Sto:lo Nation and Soowahlie First Nation was postponed.

The prospect of being cut off from town left some Cultus Lake residents and merchants reacting angrily over being used as pawns in the struggle for treaty talks.

"We're very appreciative that the Sto:lo have recognized the roadblock creates problems for Cultus Lake residents and that they have sought other ways to solve this dispute," says Ruth Midzain, Cultus Lake Park board spokesperson. "We are very relieved about the news."

A press release put out by the Sto:lo Nation Friday afternoon said that members of the public who counted on an enjoyable weekend at Cultus Lake would not be inconvenienced this time, but it emphasized that no promises were being made about the future.

"We are adamant that both Victoria and Ottawa must live up to their commitment to treaty negotiations," says Chief Lester Ned of the Sto:lo Nation.

The blockade was one of several across B.C. planned to underscore growing frustrations by Native leaders over the lack of progress at the treaty tables in the province.

"Both the federal and provincial governments must understand that tensions over the slow pace of treaty talks are rapidly mounting in our community. Our people are not prepared to resign themselves to a life of powerlessness and poverty, as natural resources from our territory are carted off to enrich the lives of others," Chief Ned said.

Several Cultus Lake residents had planned to stage a counter protest after receiving notice about the blockade, said resident Marilyn Laursen.

"I've often said to friends that somebody should blockade the people who are putting up roadblocks. We were planning to do the same thing they were going to do to us," she explained. "This was going to happen in my own backyard and I'm tired of being an apathetic Canadian."

The idea was to block access to the public highway system from the Soowahlie reserve sometime during the long weekend.

"I don't know much about the treaty talks," she admitted, "but I refuse to be held hostage in my own home by a political forum that should remain in the political arena."

The Sto:lo and Soowahlie picked the busiest weekend of the year in Cultus Lake to threaten the public with a roadblock, she added.

It would have had a huge economic impact on the merchants and residents of the community, said Ms. Laursen.

First Nations Summit spokesman Edward John suggested that residents who are unhappy with Native blockades should shift their focus to government for answers.

"The various levels of government who are stalling and not allowing progress to be made at the treaty talk level should be made accountable," he said.

Members of the Sto:lo Nation did set up a blockade on Sumas Mountain Road and two other small roads leading to the Sumas Indian reserve on Sept. 5. The blockade was used to draw attention to complaints regarding the hundreds of gravel trucks that roll through the community, located between Chilliwack and Abbotsford, each day. Local residents were not effected by the blockade, with First Nations members turning only the gravel trucks away.