Office of the Hereditary Chiefs
of the Western Gitksan
P.O. Box 495
Kitwanga, G.T. V0J 2A0
ph: (604)849-5555
fax: 849-5551
***NEWS RELEASE***NEWS RELEASE***
Gitwangak, G.T.
September 22, 1992
For Immediate Release
The RCMP entered this community this morning and arrested three
Gitksan Warriors who defied the court injunction obtained by CN
(note: railway) to clear the blockade from the mainline. Those
arrested, Goozagn (Art Loring), Luu Hon (Guy Morgan) and Wii Seeks
(Ralph Michel) went quietly and honourably, off to the RCMP lockup
in New Hazelton.
"I will defend my rights to the end", said Wii Seeks as he was
being lead away. "You guys don't scare me, and if it required
we'll be back," said Goozagn and waved vigorously from the police
car as he departed.
The blockade, up since last Wednesday, was erected to get some
action out of the province in regard to the actions of ex-minister
of forests, Miller, whose decision to sell the assets of Westar
timber to his employer, Repap, resulted in the destruction of the
economic base of this community. This sale resulted in Miller's
resignation due to conflict of interest. The community decided to
step away from the blockade after receiving guarantees from the
acting Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Mark Krasnick, that
a cabinet mandated process would be put in place to deal with all
of the issues which resulted in this direct action.
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Contact: Don Ryan
(604)849-5555
fax: 849-5551