/* Written 7:28 PM Dec 8, 1995 by nfnena in igc:nfn.tempforest */
/* ---------- "COURT BOWS TO NUXALK WALKOUT" ---------- */
From: Native Forest Network-ENA <nfnena@igc.apc.org>
December 7, 1995
SUPREME COURT BOWS IN FACE OF NUXALK STAND AND
FEAR OF INTERNATIONAL OUTRAGE
Vancouver, B.C. - Supreme Court Justice Smith, who was unwilling yesterday
to put out arrest warrants for the 22 Nuxalk chiefs, elders & supporters
who walked out of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, again refused the crown
prosecutor's requests this morning to issue warrants for their arrest or
try them in their absence. The trial was put over until January 15,
1995. All 22 of the sovereigntists and their supporters stand in
solidarity, unwilling to return to the colonial court because of the
judge's refusal to acknowledge Nuxalk sovereignty and jurisdiction over
traditional Nuxalk territory. The three hereditary Nuxalk chiefs held an
impromptu press conference today to explain their actions.
The chiefs explained how they had attended the court in hopes of
establishing peace talks and educating the Canadian government, which has
sought to impose its jurisdiction, about their sovereignty as a nation.
They left after it became clear that the court was unwilling to recognize
their rights as a nation and attempted to begin a domestic judgement
against them. "The court was forcing us into their system and handcuffing
our sovereignty," stated Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas (Edward Moody). "The
white man's court system cannot define our people. Our law allows us to
protect our land; their law allows destruction. When we go out to protect
our land and forests, we go out with the law given by the Creator."
The 22 defendants, including three hereditary chiefs, elders, spiritual
leaders and an expectant mother were charged with contempt of court in
September while protecting unceded Nuxalk territory at Ista (Fog Creek)
from destruction by Interfor's clearcut logging. The Forest Action
Network, which jointly carried out the month long blockade at Ista with
the Nuxalk Nation, fully and completely supports the Nuxalk legal
position. "We have been deeply moved by the Nuxalk chiefs' and people's
commitment to protecting their land, and so have many others around the
world," said FAN spokesperson Simone Waters. "We are expecting hundreds
of supporters to come join us next spring in continuing to prevent
Interfor from destroying Nuxalk land. Interfor will no longer be allowed
to profit from the destruction of the Great Coast Rainforest."
For more information contact: FOREST ACTION NETWORK, Box 155, 1895
Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5N 4A6, (604)-739-4782
---------------------------------------------------------------
Information transferred via:
NATIVE FOREST NETWORK
Eastern North American Resource Center
POB 57
Burlington, VT 05402 USA
(802)863-0571
(802)863-2532 Fax
email: nfnena@igc.apc.org