House of Smayusta Tel: (604) 799-5376
P.O. Box 8, Bella Coola B.C.
V0T - 1C0 Fax: (604) 799-5707
PRESS RELEASE
[March 24, 1995]
MOTEL BUILT ON NUXALK GRAVES
"First of all we would like to acknowledge
Tatau, the Creator, through Manakays, the Great Spirit,
for all he has provided since the beginning of time and
still provides today."
The Nuxalk Nation Government Hereditary Chiefs, the Nuxalk
Nation Government Council of Elders and the Nuxalk Nation
Government Band Council do hereby declare that there will be no
more desecration of our sacred burial grounds within Nuxalk
Traditional Territory. This act of cultural genocide is in direct
violation of our Nuxalk traditional laws and customs. It has
caused much heartache and sadness to the spirits of all Nuxalkmc.
Recently, it has come to the attention of all Nuxalkmc, that
our sacred burial grounds located at the Bella Coola Motel have
been disturbed by the new motel management. The motel
manager/owners have moved the gravestone of Hereditary Chief
Klakamot from its original position, and they have erected fence
posts into the sacred burial grounds of our ancestors. The Nuxalk
Nation Archaeological Brance has also confirmed that bone
fragments were brought to the surface by an auger used for
erecting fence posts.
The bella Coola Motel was built in 1958 (British Columbia's
[100th] Birthday) on Nuxalk sacred burial grounds located at the
Sts'kilh village site. At no time was consideration ever given to
the Nuxalk Nation during the development and construction of the
motel. The gravestone of Chief Klakamot is evidence that the
Bella Coola Motel is located on one of our sacred burial sites.
The gravestone of Chief Klakamot sits next to the motel about ten
feet away. Many of our elders remember the gravestones and
markers that once were but now the motel has done away with most
of them.
A letter dated January 9, 1995, was hand delivered to the
owners/managers of the Bella Coola Motel to remove the fencing
and to place Chief Klakamot's gravestone to its proper position
(2 feet from motel). Since we have had no response from the motel
management, and they haven't respected our wishes, we are taking
action to correct this situation.
We will march from our totem poles down to the motel where
the gravestones are. Our Head Hereditary Chief, Nuximlayc, will
dance his song and share a few words. Hereditary Chief
Silcxwliqw' will step forward share a few words and begin
removing the fence. At this point, we face the possibility of
being arrested, but we are willing to suffer the consequences. If
arrests are made, other members of the Nuxalk community will
continue dismantling the fence until the fence is completely
removed. At this time Chief Klakamot's headstone will be placed
back into its proper position. Finally, the Nuxalk people will
place flowers on top of their ancestors graves and feed a fire
with food to soothe the spirits of those past on.
Today, we as Nuxalkmc are making a historical stand. We make
this stand in loving memory of our ancestors whose graves have
been desecrated, and we make this stand on behalf of all our
brothers and sisters from other indigenous nations who face the
same grief. We want the people of the world to know that we will
no longer allow desecration of our sacred burial sites in Nuxalk
Territory.
If you would like more information please feel free to
contact us at (604) 899-5376.
For the future of our children, grandchildren and children
yet to be born.....
Way!
Nuxalk Strong - Nuxalk Forever
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Send letters/calls/faxes of protest to:
Premier Mike Harcourt Right Honourable Jean Chretien
Rm. 156, Parliament Buildings Prime Minister of Canada
Victoria, B.C. 309-S, Centre Block
Canada V8V 1X4 House of Commons, Ottawa, Ont.
Canada K1A 0A6
Ph. (604) 387-1715 Ph. (613) 992-4211
Fax (604) 387-0087 Fax (613) 957-5571
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