Shuswap protests ski resort expansion

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Supporters of the land claims of British Columbia's Shuswap Nation met on the slopes of Sun Peaks Ski Resort near Kamloops on March 10 to take advantage of the media exposure that came with MuchMusic's week-long concert event SnowJob 2001 that took place on location there.

The resort plans a $70 million expansion on to land that was set aside in 1862 for a reserve for the Secwepemc (Shuswap) people.

Chief Bonnie Leonard of the Kamloops Indian Band supports the Neskonlith, Adams Lake and Little Shuswap bands in their specific claim to the area.

"We would like to see them work together with the developer to come to some compromise so that this can be a win-win situation," said Leonard. "I'm here today with other chiefs from the Shuswap Nation to show support for a peaceful settlement for land claims."

By 9 a.m. ski lifts were bustling as hundreds of skiers and snowboarders arrived. Native representatives appeared mid-morning with bags containing pins made of red, black, yellow and white ribbons and offered to SnowJob participants with a card that asked that the ribbons be worn as a symbol of support for a peaceful settlement of all First Nation land claims in the province.

"The ribbon represents all the nations on earth and the desire to work together," read the card. "Talk to your MP and your MLA and urge them to assist in the resolution process."

Chief Felix Arnouse of the Little Shuswap Indian Band gave out the ribbons with the hope that all people will work together as one big community.

"Even Native people are divided on land claim issues. They need to go back to their communities and hold discussions because a lot of people don't want to be part of a protest. They feel there are different ways of solving these problems. I believe one of the best ways of settling a lot of these land claims issues is by asking for support from non-Native people," said Arnouse.

With an RCMP helicopter buzzing above while officers monitored protestors below, members of the West Coast Warriors Society, wearing army camouflage and faces covered, stood alongside Natives drummers, shrieking their support and applauding endless speakers amid a sea of signs.

Although a theme of unilateral support for the Secwepemc people and their fight against the arbitrary development of their land was loudly proclaimed, a common method of solving the land question did not emerge.

Quoting her late father Grand Chief George Manual, Vera Manual said "if you really believe it's yours, don't ask for it. Take it." Chief Stewart Phillip of the Penticton Indian Band prefers to pressure the government to recognize legitimate Aboriginal rights. Others advocated working with resort officials and developers to reach a settlement.