NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT Secwepemc Chapter Secwepemcul'ucw (British Columbia, Canada)
(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]