Protecting The Sacred

Find more videos like this on International Indigenous Leadership Gathering 2010

I wanted to share with you a very important upcoming event called the International Indigenous Leadership Gathering 2010 to be held in Fountain Valley near Lillooet B.C. from May 31st to June 6th 2010.

We have looked at and prayed about what it is that we are responsible for into the future, for our generations yet to be born.

We as Leaders make decisions that will impact Seven Generations to come....

It is our responsibility to protect our Mother Earth and her offerings she has for all Peoples of the World; nationality has no boundaries in the protection of her.

We believe that if we invite all nationalities who are open to learning, the Teachings of Indigenous Peopes; it will help bring understanding and Spiritual strength to our Lands.

The passing of the Knowledge and Teachings that we have carried for generations is becoming lost through the changing of the times

Our Teachers are now starting to come to the forefront to remind us that we need to go back to our Ceremonies and the importance of the Ceremonies.

Without judgement, we need to support these Teachings, as they remind us of our duties and responsibilities for generations of all that live on Mother Earth.

To understand this, just look around in your own community and consider the changes that are happening around you.

This is a reminder of what needs to be done.....

With Respect,

Darrel Bob
Gathering Coordinator

Office 250-256-7523
Cell 250-256-7523
Home 250-256-0045
Website

Here is a list of things that are needed in order to ensure a successful event for 2010

• We need billets for presenters especially in Fountain Valley
• We need drivers for presenters and elders
• Please bring a bowl, cup, utensils, and water bottle
• Garbage Bags for your Garbage
• Food Donations for the Cook House, All meals will be served on site

Please get involved and support this important event, and we hope to see you there.

Please contact Darrel Rob if you can help out.

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.