Existing In Harmony With Nature

Late Fall On Duffy Lake
(C) P. Parry

I spoke to a friend last night who visited Hubie a few days ago. Hubie advised that he received another visit from the Olympic Winter Games Security Force and they were making inquiries about the intentions of Sutikalh camp members with regard to protesting the Olympics.

Just so there are no mis-understandings, let it be known that the members of the Sutikalh have no intention of setting up an Olympic Games protest in any way shape or form. There will not be any protests launched from the camp area either.

The purpose of the Sutikalh camp is to preserve the pristine wilderness of the Cayoosh and Melvin Creek Valley, and we have no interest whatsoever in the Olympic Games.

Your Tax Dollars At Work

It has been reported recently in the media that the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee will be spending just under 1 Billion Dollars for security for the Winter Olympic Games.

When I went up to the camp in September Hubie told me of the number of uninvited visitors that were showing up asking questions. He had visits from the FBI, CIA, CSIS, MI6 RCMP, and members of The Vancouver City Police Department. Hubie was on a hike up the hill, and when he arrived back at the cabin, members of the Vancouver City Police were in the cabin munching on some pork sandwiches. I was wondering what the VCP did not understand about trespassing on private property. There is a No Trespassing sign displayed at the entrance to the property that only a blind man could miss.

You have to wonder what is on the mind of these people considering that the camp is about 80km away from Whistler, and how the camp could pose a risk to the security of the games in any way shape or form. Can you imagine coming home from a hike to find the Police had entered your home, and were eating your food?

It was also reported on Global News two weeks ago that you will not be able to drive your car to Whistler unless you can prove that you have a place to park. So imagine if you live in Mount Currie, and have to go to Whistler for a Doctor's or Dentist appointment, and you can't prove that you have a place to park? You will be refused access via a roadblock and asked to turn around period!!! No exceptions. This is madness particularly if you live in the area.

VANOC is going out of their way to make vehicle travel in and around the games next to impossible for residents of the Sea To Sky corridor and at an enormous cost to you the taxpayer who is going to have to pay for all of this. VANOC-Getting Around The Sea To Sky Corridor.

Residents may very will have to go over Duffy Lake Road to Lilloet and down the Fraser Canyon in order to get into Vancouver if they need to because vehicle traffic will be restricted during the Winter Games, adding extra time and costs to your trip.

The costs of the games are getting out of control, and will provide next to nothing for indeginous people. The games are designed for the rich, and the rich are the only ones who are going to benefit from this madness.

As I am writing this I am listening to an interview with Andrew Jennings, author of The Great Olympic Swindle, and how he describes the corruption within the IOC. He is in Vancouver today, talking about how the extravagance of all Olympic games leads to the building of massive structures at great expense that will never be used once the games are over. He also says that tourism will also decrease during the Olympics and not increase. He quotes studies that have been done that all the talk about the revenues that are supposed to be brought in by sponsors etc is a myth, it just does not happen, and there are studies to prove this.

A sad reality is that The City Of Vancouver is cutting it's operating budget for 2010 and will close down the Blodel Conservatory, and Parks Petting Zoo next year because of a shortfall in funds. I wonder if that has anything to do with the City having to bail out the Olympic Village Project and borrow tens of millions of dollars to guarantee it's completion? You can bet your life it does..

So I close this post by saying again "Your Tax Dollars At Work" boy are we lucky?

Salmon Dance On The Brunette River

Here is a great video of Salmon spawning in the Brunette river taken in October 2009 in the urban area of New Westminster BC. This is good news because the river is so close to a dense urban area.

However the key point here is an illustration of how development can not only harm the environment, but completely destroy Salmon bearing creeks, streams, and rivers.

A ski resort in the Cayoosh would devastate the environment, and have a disastrous effect on the waters that flow down from the Melvin Creek Valley through the watercourses that flow from it.

Indigenous Peoples that live in St'at'imc Territory depend upon Salmon as a food source as they have for thousands of years. Thoughtless and ill planned development within this pristine wilderness environment would result in the loss of an important source of food which cannot be tolerated.

Cayoosh Mountain Range Aerial View

Mountain Lion's Mountain Blog
Photo By Joey Only

Above is a great aerial image of the Cayoosh Mountain Range that I just had to share with you courtesy of Joey Only who has hiked extensively in the area and visited the Sutikalh Camp.

Visiting the Cayoosh always takes my breath away, the beauty of this pristine mountain wilderness is breathtaking.

On his blog Joey explains that he is Anti-Copyright, so I don't think he will mind if I use his photo. He writes a great story about his opposition to the proposed ski resort in Melvin Creek Valley.
Thanks Joey.

Virtual Summit On H1N1 In First Nations Communities

Assembly Of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq held a Virtual Summit today on the Internet from 12:00 to 2:00 EST, with the purpose of dealing with a number of issues related to the current H1N1 pandemic as it affects First Nations Peoples.

The primary list of issues they addressed according to the Virtual Summit On H1N1 In First Nations Communities website were;

• Preparations and activities underway to deal with the second wave of H1N1 in First Nation Communities.
• Recent developments on H1N1
• Distributions on vaccines and antiviral drugs in First Nations Communities.
• Profiles on First Nations Communities on their planning and preparedness efforts.
• Interactive youth and expert panel discussion.

Although you may have missed this broadcast as I did, you can view the two hour telecast November 12, 2009 on the Internet by clicking on this link Virtual Summit On H1N1 In First Nation Communities.

Shawn Atleo was just interviewed on CBC Power and Politics (link to download podcast) 30 minutes ago and some of the many points that he spoke about were:

One in Five First Nations people do not have access to, or the ability to travel to a doctor or a clinic to get the flu shot.

First Nations peoples as a result of poverty on reserves, and in communities outside of reserves are more likely to get the virus because of poor health.

With respect to the visit of Prince Charles and Camila in Canada right now, Atleo reminded us that there are numerous treaties between First Nations peoples and the Government of Canada which are still valid and in force, and were signed by Queen Victoria many years ago.

My last comment is that it has been reported today on CBC news that Taliban detainees in Afghanistan are receiving the H1N1 flu shot ahead of all of us particularly First Nations peoples.

Unrepentant-Kevin Annett And Canada's Genocide Documentary

The is a very compelling video documentary on the atrocities of the Residential School system that Canadian Aboriginals across the country were forced to attend against their will by the Canadian government, and the struggle of United Church priest Kevin Annett with trying to heal members of his community, and being tormented and rebuked by the United Church for helping members of his congregation in need.

Hereditary Chief Ken Peters and others of the St'at'imc nation were taken from their parents and forced to reside in Residential Schools, and have suffered greatly from the experience.

In this darkest period in Canadian history, Aboriginal peoples were physically and mentally abused and even murdered, and Aboriginal lands were sold by the the church to corporate interests without their permission. And to this day the perpetrators of these crimes have never been prosecuted under the laws of this country for the atrocities that were committed against Indigenous Peoples.

Download the Unrepentent-Kevin Annet And Canada's Genocide here.

Kevin Annett Website Hidden From History

If you were a victim of the Residential School atrocities and feel up to it please contact us at sutikalh@gmail.com and tell your story, and we will publish it on this blog.

Farewell-Michael Ambie Edmonds

It is with sadness that we mention to you that Ambie passed away in late September while he was hunting for pine mushrooms, and apparently slipped and fell on a steep slope.

Ambie was one of the silent warriors who was always on hand when needed to help with many of the thankless tasks around the camp that need to be done to keep it going.

Ambie will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and loved ones.

Rest In Peace Ambie 1955-2009

The Declaration Of The Lillooet Tribe-May 10, 1911

Chief Harry Nkasusa
Samahqwam Band

On May 10, 1911 at Spence's Bridge B.C. 16 Chiefs from a number of bands in B.C. met to sign a declaration regarding their ownership of territorial lands and to present their other grievances to The Province Of BC and The Federal Government of Canada.

The Declaration was presented to the Province Of B.C. and the Federal Government of Canada in protest at the poor treatment that they were experiencing from both governments with respect to Aboriginal Ownership of Land.

To this day the protest of these Chiefs and the injustices of governments of that time period is still being carried on in the Sutikalh with the help of key leaders such as Kenny Peters, Hereditary Chief,with the Mount Currie Band, who is the grandson of Chief Harry Nkasusa.

Below is The Declaration Of The Lillooet Tribe May 10, 1911
Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe

United Nations Declaration On The Rights Of Indegenous Peoples

N0749830 UN Indigenous Peoples

Mona Joe Woman Warrior Song

On Sunday September 19th the ashes of Mona Joe were spread on and around her rock high up in the pristine mountain valleys of Sutikalh.

Mona was central to the spreading of information around the proposed ski resort development in the Cayoosh by Al and Nancy Green Raine, and being a leader and organizer who succeeded in making the Sutikalh camp and future settlement a reality.

As an elder matriarch in the Mount Currie Band she galvanized the will and the efforts of many members of the community to preserve the pristine nature of Sutikalh, and to provide an on going presence as guardians well into the future, for the benefit of generations to come.

In the video Chief Gary John of the Seton Lake St'at'imc Nation sang the Woman Warrior Song as a lament of the death of a warrior.

The ceremony was attended by Mona's husband Eddie, Rosalyn, Hereditary Chief Kenny Peters, and Chief Gary John.

Click on the link to visit the Sutikalh YouTube Channel.

Aboriginal Identity And The Importance Of Language

The Atlas Of Canada
Canadian Dialect Map

Doug Dan mentioned in August that Canadians and most Westerners look at Aboriginals in the same context. "They think we are all the same, and that we all speak the same language, they put us all in the same pot ". "He also believes that there is not enough information on just how different Aboriginal Canadians are, not only in the different dialects spoken, but how different the cultures are from each other".

On the Natural Resources Canada website, The Atlas Of Canada reports that there are at least 50 different languages that are spoken by Aboriginal Canadians, and they have divided these different languages into 11 distinctive groups throughout the country.

Doug says that there are perhaps five different languages spoken in St'at'imc nation territory, and that Salish is one of the predominant dialects used within this region.

It is very important in this age of instant communication that we all celebrate the differences in Aboriginal Canadians, and that we continue to support this and encourage the development of the different dialects, and ensure that the young are taught the dialects that are native to the region that they live in.

Please feel free to add a comment and tell us what Dialect you speak if you are an Aboriginal Canadian.

University Of Calgary-Aboriginal Languages Study.

Summers End-Sutikalh Camp

Hubie, Almer, Doug & Ken

This is just a short note from Hubie to mention that since 2000 when this settlement was created, people from over 110 countries around the world have taken the time to visit the camp.

Some people have stayed for a few days, and some were kind enough to leave some supplies like food and gas, which is always appreciated. Fall and Winter is on the way, so any donations will be welcomed.

Be sure when you are visiting the camp to bring warm layers of clothing. The days and nights are getting cooler as the summer weather comes to an end here in the high alpine.

No Olympics On Stolen Land-6th Anniversary

This is a great video filmed by Pumpkin Head Productions, posted on VCommunity TV, and hosted on Blip Tv.

Quiet Struggle

This is a short video trailer of a film presented to the Globians Doc Fest 2009 August 12-17 describing the details of the Sutikalh objective. It is amazing to see the stark differences between the uncontrolled development of the Whistler Ski Resort, and the pristine peace of the Sutikalh camp.

Sutikalh is against the 2010 Winter Games, which will not result in any positive results for First Nations Peoples in B.C.

Globians Doc Fest 2009

Sutikahl-The Purpose And The Mission

Listen to the wisdom in the words of Hubert Jim one of the original founders of the Sutikahl camp. Hubert lives at the camp year round, and devotes his energies, his time, and his spiritual wisdom to preserving this pristine wilderness area for future generations.

The Melvin Creek Valley Watershed is one of the last two pristine areas in the St'at'imc Territory with no roads through it, and the water and the air is crystal clear and unpolluted. Animals, Birds, Fish, and Plants exist as they did thousands of years ago.

The main objective of this camp is to unify and lead by example by protecting the environment of the mother earth. In the chain of life when pieces of the chain are taken away, the people get sick. It is important to preserve this chain in the chain of life.

Hubert Jim

Welcome To The Sutikalh (Winter Spirit) Blog

Cayoosh Creek Watershed
Photo by Will Koop

On May 2, 2000, concerned members of the St'at'imc Nation established a permanent camp just off Highway 99 to protest the proposed development of a 500 million dollar ski resort by Nancy Greene Raine and her husband Al Raine (NGR) in the Cayoosh Mountain Range.
Government of BC Report.

This area of the Cayoosh mountain range has been occupied and used by the St'at'imc for as long as 10,000 years, following the retreat of the last glacial period which carved out the steep sided valley and jagged mountain tops.

Along with the gathering of food and medicines, hunting and fishing, the area was also used by shamans, who went to the mountains for purification, spiritual renewal, and training. These traditions continue to be practiced to the present day at Sutikahl as people gather to collect food, medicines, fresh water, and to participate in cultural and spiritual activities.

To this day this area remains unceded and unsurrendered St'at'imc territory, in which neither Canada nor The Province Of British Columbia have a legal right or moral authority to govern, claim territory, or carry out business.

That both levels of government continue to impose their authority is a violation of Canada's own laws and it's highest courts as defined by the 1763 Royal Proclamation, and reinforced by the 1997 Delgamuukw Supreme Court Decision.

How To Find Us

The Sutikalh camp is located on Highway 99 halfway between Mount Currie and Lillooet B.C. Look for an old logging road bridge over Cayoosh Creek, there is a banner in the trees approximately 100 meters north of the bridge. After crossing the bridge, follow the logging road off to the right for about 100 meters.

Donate To The Sutikahl Camp

Donations of food such as flour, rice, dry goods and canned goods are always welcome at the camp and are needed on a ongoing basis throughout the year to sustain the efforts of the dedicated brave people who man the camp on a permanent basis.

Food and or Cash Donations can also be made at:

Sutikalh c/o of Hubert Jim
PO Box 20
Mount Currie, B.C.
V0N 2K0
Canada
604-452-3440
sutikalh@gmail.com