Native Youth Movement Members Sentenced to Prison for Defending Sacred
Mountains
NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT Secwepemc Chapter Secwepemcul'ucw (British Columbia,
Canada
NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT MEMBERS SENT TO PRISON FOR DEFENDING SACRED MOUNTAINS
(Secwepemc Territory/ Kamloops Provincial Courts/ December 17, 2002) NYM is
outraged with the sentences handed down today to four Native Youth Movement
members involved in defending Skwelkwek'welt from the Sun Peaks Resort
expansion. Judge Sanduh has definitely sent us a clear message that if you
stand up for your rights you will face arrest, jail time and banishment
from your homeland.
The four were sentenced to: 90 days incarceration & a Victim surcharge of
$200.00, & a Probation Order of 18 months with the conditions: - not to
wear or possess any camouflage or military style clothing or fatigues. -
not to wear or possess any mask, disguise, facial covering or facial paint
unless you have the prior written permission of your probation officer for
bona fide medical, health, or spiritual purposes. - not to be within a 10
km radius of the administrative offices of the Sun Peaks Resort. - not
block or impede any traffic or pedestrians on any public road, highway or
public place.
Trevor Dennis, Marcus Sauls, Rose Jack and Rod Anderson were immediately
taken from the courtroom by sheriffs to jail, but were released later today
when the four were granted a stay of their sentence until their appeal is
heard in March of 2003. Last month the four NYM warriors were found guilty
of mischief and intimidation for blocking a highway and a Sun Peaks excavator.
Native Youth Movement member, Trevor Dennis responded to the sentence by
saying, "I'm upset with the sentence, but it feels good we have not lost.
We still maintain 100% authority and jurisdiction over all our Secwepemc
land. We stood on the side of right and we still stand on the side of right
and that's what counts."
We are committed and dedicated in the defense of our homeland and nothing
will change that. Our next moves will come in the form of coordinated
actions with various support groups to inform the unaware public, tourists
and investors about the government and Sun Peaks' collaboration to
dislocate us from our homeland.
Media Contact:
Nicole Manuel, Spokesperson NYM Secwepemc Chapter
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=02/12/18/3693260
