Bella Coola:
Background: The Nuxalk people never signed a Treaty with the BC or any
government. There land is still theirs. The BC government gave INTERFOR
permission to go and clear cut Nuxalk Territory.
On Sept. 26th, Nuxalk people and members of the Forest Action network took
peacefull action to stop the compnay. they climbed the tress and blocked
consrtuction of roads. The BC government did not protect them but sent in
the RCMP.
Around 20 people wree arrested. If they were willing to sign a form they
were released. Three heriditary Chiefs refused to sign saying that the BC
government has no jurisdication over their land. At the hearing the judge
appeared sympathic but held them in jail until Oct. 16th. The First Nations
Environmental Network sent a representaive, Lyle Morriseau, into the area
who was arrested as well and refused to sign. After several weeks, Lyle
signed because it was more diffcult to present a defense since he is
Anishnawbe.
On October 16th there was a hearing for the three Chiefs. Court started
with one of the Nuxalk women Smudging the room. She even smudged the judge.
They again refused to sign the conditional release form and were ordered
detained until Dec. 4th. The three then tried to leave the court house but
were forceably detained. Many women cried and begged for their Chiefs to be
set free.
A rally was held after the court and they marched to the INTERFOR office
with about 60 - 70 people. They asked to see mangement. Police arrived and
doors locked. Things were getting tense. The police asked a Hereditary
Chief to leave. He complied and the rest followed.
Please, please show support by faxing letters today to:
BC Supreme Court, Fax: (604) 660-2420
BC Premier Mike Harcourt, Fax: (604) 387-0087
email: Premier<cmerkley@galaxy.gov.bc.ca>
Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Cretien, (613) 941-6900
BC Attorney General, Ujjal Dosanjh, Fax: (604) 387-6411
email:Attorney General <nlane@galaxy.gov.bc.ca>
Send copies of your letters to:Nuxalk Nation Office,
House of Smayusta, P.O. Box 8, Bella Coola, B.C. V0T 1C0
or Fax: (604) 799-5707
Posted on behalf of the First Nations Environmental Network