Sunday June 4th.
The Canandian R.C.M.P. police have informed the Upper Nicola Band that the
blockade must come down. The Chief Commissioner from Vancouver has spoken
with Chief Scotty Holmes and ask for the bands decision. Last night the
Elders of the Band (around 30) held a meeting for 4 hours. They discussed
what had happened, what needed to happen, and what could happen. It was
decided that we must keep the Roadblock up! That all who was in favor to
raise their hand... all hands rose. So this now sets the tempo, once again,
to what we call "Red Alert". We will be expecting the RCMP to arrive within
the next few days. Everyone that is choosing to remain behind the blockade
is aware that there may be some physical shoving.
We have attempted in all ways to make what we are calling "the fight" fair.
We know they will be sending many troops. We know they will have buses. So
we have piled old automobiles along side one half the road which leads up to
the gathering location. This means the RCMP must enter the area one vehicle
at a time. In the past two confrontations... they always have come in with
several vehicles side by side. The people are now preparing for a final
stand.
If you have any comments... experiences... suggestions... ideas... please
e-mail me and I will respond whole heartedly. Even to those people who may
think the native people don't deserve Aboriginal Rights... I welcome your
comments.
It is unfortunate that neither side is willing to give a little. We will
only talk with Douglas Lake Cattle Compay if they meet certain requests and
the same is required of us from the Cattle Company. Yet, we cannot afford
to trust the Cattle Company... they have cheated us before, they even
attempt to cheat us in this very dispute. We must not give in to what they
are calling "Concessions". The concession for equal negotiations is what
they are calling fair and equal talks.
Meanwhile they try to build a road behind our back. They tell blatant lies
on national television and so many other hurting things. We will not trust
their word any longer.
I speak for my people when I say, "We did not ask for this to happen, we
only want to live in Harmony with our Nicola Valley neighbours. But we have
no choice. We must protect what little resources we do have left, for the
future of all mankind."