Press Release
June 24, 1997
"First of all we would like to acknowledge Tatau, the Creator, through Manakays, the Great
Spirit, for all he has provided us since the beginning of time and still provides today."
Today, about 40 RCMP entered into Nuxalk Nation Territory to
arrest Nuxalk Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas, Nuxalk People and
environmentalists. The arrests began about 8:00 a.m. As of this
news release 21 arrests have been made. This includes 6
Nuxalkmc, Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas, Emily Johnny, Harry
Schooner, Ernest Tallio, Warren Snow, and Colette Schooner and
15 environmentalists.
Although, a number of people face incarceration, their spirits
remain strong. The human and religious rights of the Nuxalk
people are being abrogated. The governments of Canada and
British Columbia as well as the court system do not recognize the
hereditary rights of the Nuxalk people. Nuxalknalus (King
Island) has not been ceded to any government of Canada or British
Columbia. As such, it is not within the jurisdiction of the
Indian Act.
Nuxalk Hereditary Chief Qwatsinas, stated "I feel very strong
about what I am doing. I cannot step aside. That would be a sign
of compromise. I have committed myself to this stand. It's not
that I am forced into doing this. I believe in it. This is a
decision that I had to make, for all Nuxalk People, the land and
our rights. I am Nuxalkmc, I believe in who I am. They
(InterFor) are destroying the land by clear cut logging and Ista
is sacred. Our position is to protect what we have in our land
and forests."
Chief Qwatsinas continued, "The Great Spirit is flowing upon us,
here at Ista. The Killer Whale came with its little one and
started talking to us. They no longer hear the trees falling,
nor do they hear the sound of logging trucks. The whales came
from Him, our Great Father, to acknowledge us for what we are
doing. The Killer Whales are standing with us. Thank you to all
of our supports throughout the world for the prayers that have
been said."
For the future of our Children, Grandchildren and Children yet unborn....Way!
Nuxalk Strong - Nuxalk Forever
Contact: House of Smayusta: (250) 799-5376 Fax: (250) 799-5707
Nuxalk Web Page - http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/nuxalk