Intro
After almost exactly 20 years of struggle and land reclamation, St’at’imc people’s resistance has successfully stopped the development of a proposed ski resort on their territory, as the British Columbia government’s assessment office has finally canceled the Environmental Assessment Certificate for the project.
The two decades long running Sutikalh camp has served not only as a practical focal point of resistance for the St’at’imc people to the proposed ski resort but also as an act of land reclamation and sovereignty, as well as a meeting point and inspiration for Indigenous and other people’s resistance across BC, including the anti-Olympics resistance leading up to and including the 2010 events in Vancouver.
Personally, one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had was when I was asked many years ago to drive a group of Indigenous youths and adults, including St’at’imc youths, from the city of Vancouver up to Sutikalh so that the youths could visit the camp for the first time.
Sutikalh has stood strong for two decades as an example of Land Back in practice through direct action, and now also as a successful struggle and victory over the forces of settler capitalist development.
– M. Gouldhawke, May 2020
Sutikalh letter on Melvin Creek resort: “To our friends and allies, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude,” stated Qwalqwálten (Garry John), who is spokesperson for Sútikalh. He spoke from his home in Tsal’álh of St’át’imc Territory. pic.twitter.com/UC1hRv0Be8
— UBCIC (@UBCIC) May 15, 2020
SUTIKALH
IT TAKES A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO STOP A SKI RESORT!
By Zig-Zag, Camp Occupant, Fall 2002
On May 2, 2000, members of the St’at’imc nation and their allies established a permanent camp near Melvin Creek, located off Highway 99 between Mt. Currie/Pemberton and Lillooet, in the southern Interior region of BC.
Known as Sutikalh, the St’at’imc winter spirit of the area, the camp was set up to stop government and corporate plans to build a $500 million all-season ski and recreation resort in an untouched Alpine mountain area.
Part of the Cayoosh Moutain Range, the region is a transition zone from the coast to the Interior. It is habitat to Grizzly Bears, cougar, bobcat, wolverine, deer, hawks, owls and many other small animals. It also contains one of the largest herds of Mountain Goats now remaining in North America.
The area 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 valleys and jagged mountain tops.
Along with food gathering, the area was also used by shamans, who went to the mountains for purification, spiritual renewal and training. These traditions continue to be practised today at Sutikalh, where people come to gather foods, medicines, pure fresh water, and to participate in cultural and spiritual activities.
To this day the area remains unceded, unsurrendered St’at’imc territory, in which neither Canada nor BC have legal or moral authority to govern, claim territory or even carry out business.
That both levels of government continue to impose their authority is a violation of Canada’s own laws and its highest courts (i.e., the 1763 Royal Proclamation and, to a lesser extent, the 1997 Delgamuukw Supreme Court Decision).
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
Of course, the St’at’imc have been well aware of the illegal theft and occupation of their territory. In 1911, leaders of the St’at’imc signed a declaration, stating in part:
“We claim that we are the rightful owners of our tribal territory… We have always lived in our country, at no time have we ever deserted it, or left it to others. We have retained it from the invasion of other tribes at the cost of our blood. Our ancestors were in possession of our country centuries before the whites came… We are aware the BC government claims our country, like all other Indian territories in BC; but we deny their right to it. We never gave it or sold it to them. They certainly never got the title to the country from us, neither by agreement nor conquest, and none other than us could have any right to give them title.”
– 1911 Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe (St’at’imc)
At this time, the St’at’imc and many other nations formed political organizations such as the Indian Rights Association (IRA) and the Allied Tribes of BC. They correctly understood that, without treaties, the province of BC and Canada were in violation of the 1763 Royal Proclamation. They sought to hold the government accountable to its own laws.
To this end they organized meetings, rallies and delegations to meet with government officials and the British Crown. By 1927, Canada outlawed any land claims organizing by First nations through the Indian Act. This ban was not lifted until the 1950’s. Today, in response to increased legal action by First Nations (along with political and economic self-interest), the government is attempting to extinguish Aboriginal title through the BC Treaty Process, thereby legalizing its theft of Indigenous territories.
150 YEARS ON STOLEN LAND
For over 150 years, the St’at’imc – like other First Nations – have seen their way of life nearly destroyed, their ancestral territories claimed by European settlers and colonial authorities. Beginning in 1858 with the discovery of gold, tens of thousands of prospectors invaded the southern Interior. They brought diseases which decimated the St’at’imc and other Interior nations (as occurred on the coast); in some cases, villages saw 90% of their populations die.
By the 1920’s railway lines had been punched through, increasing European settlement and resource extraction (logging and mining). In the meantime, First Nations were forced onto small reserves and generations of Indigenous children placed in Residential Schools. In the 1950’s and ’60’s, hydro-electric dams and power plants were established, destroying or reducing entire salmon runs in the Bridge and Seton Rivers. By the 1970’s, clearcut logging and road building scarred many valleys and mountain- sides.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
In 1990, the BC government began an expansion of Highway 99, upgrading a logging road that cut through the Melvin Creek watershed. In order to connect this road to Hwy. 99, the provincial government expropriated a portion of the Mt. Currie reserve, using a section of the Indian Act. This created a groundswell of opposition among the Lil’wat of Mt. Currie, who blockaded the Duffy Lake road. A large RCMP operation resulted in 63 arrests in the fall of 1990. Those arrested were held one month, refusing to give their names or co-operate. The next year, as highway construction proceeded, the government announced it was seeking proposals for a ski resort development in the Melvin Creek area – a project only possible with the forced expansion of Hwy. 99.
NOT ANOTHER SKI RESORT
In 1991, in response to the government’s proposal, Nancy Greene-Raine resort consultants Inc. (NGR), submitted plans for the Cayoosh Ski Resort, a $500-million all-season ski and recreation resort, with an upper and lower village, a 12 km access road to the upper village, 14 lifts, a conference centre, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and as many as 12,000 daily visitors with accommodation for 14,000 (2,000 for staff).
NGR Inc. is owned by Nancy Greene, a former Olympic gold medalist, and her husband Al Raine. NGR has also been involved in a bitter struggle for the past 3 years with the Secwepemc nation over a $70 million expansion to the Sun Peaks ski resort, located 1 hours drive north of Kamloops.
Initially, the government’s own Environment Ministry, Kamloops region, advised against any development in the Cayoosh and Melvin Creek watersheds, citing high wildlife values, especially Grizzly Bear and Mountain Goat habitat.
In 1993, NGR withdrew their proposal. Intervention by high-ranking government officials, however, renewed the Cayoosh proposal and created political pressure to force it through. in 1994, Employment minister Glen Clark met with Al Raine. Following this, Raine stated he was “very encouraged by the new attitude of cooperation.” The following year, the BC cabinet overruled the Kamloops office’s original decision, and in 1996 NGR applied fore project approval certification through the BC government’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).
Over the years, reports and studies submitted to the EAO have failed to mention, or downplayed, both Grizzly and Mountain Goat habitat and negative environmental impact. Finally, on August 14, 2000, the EAO gave its approval for the Cayoosh ski resort. The EAO is considered the most ‘difficult’ phase for a project of this size and nature to pass. Now, all that remains is for NGR to receive a master development agreement as required under the Commercial Alpine Ski Policy (CASP).
The CASP is a responsibility of Land and Water, BC, Inc. (formerly BC Assets and Lands Corporation), a government agency created to sell, lease and ‘develop’ Crown lands. This final stage is a technicality and it is expected that by 2003-04, the final go-ahead will be given. As of Spring 2003, Sutikalh still remains and no construction or logging has occurred.
ST’AT’IMC MAKE THEIR STAND AT SUTIKALH
Just as the EAO process neared completion in 2000, the alarm was sounded. On May 2/00, the Sutikalh camp was established, and before the month ended it was decided to make it a permanent camp. From the beginning, Sutikalh has served as a rallying point for the St’at’imc. On June 11/00, over 120 people gathered at Sutikalh, including members from all 11 St’at’imc communities. The meeting overwhelmingly rejected the ski resort.
Throughout June and July, more permanent structures were built, including construction of an Estken (a traditional pit-house). From July 27 to August 4/00, some 40 children and youth attended the camp, gathering food and medicines and participating in cultural activities.
They also helped distribute 1500 pamphlets and collect hundreds of signatures on a petition opposed to the ski resort. On August 14/00, when the EAO gave its approval to NGR, the St’at’imc set up an information checkpoint at Sutikalh on Hwy. 99 for 17 hours.
In Vancouver, St’at’imc representatives and several Aboriginal political organizations, along with environmentalists, protested outside the Vancouver Stock Exchange (to deter potential investors).
This grassroots organizing helped put pressure on all 11 St’at’imc band councils to come out in opposition to the ski resort, event through some chiefs and councilors actually support development. On August 17/00, the Lillooet Tribal Council issued a letter to NGR, signed by all 11 chiefs, rejecting the ski resort.
On October 2/00, a referendum on the ski resort was held in Mt. Currie, the closest and largest St’at’imc community to the Melvin Creek area. Of 3324 votes cast, 276 voted No, with 46 voting Yes.
The St’at’imc have also received public support from various Aboriginal groups, including the Interior Alliance (band councils of the Southern Carrier, St’at’imc, Secwepemc, Nlaka’pamux and Okanagain), the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), the Native Youth Movement (NYM), and the Cheam First Nation.
Several environmental groups are also opposed to the Cayoosh ski resort, including the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC), the Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC), Sierra Club and even former government biologists.
BIG $ FOR BC GOVERNMENT
Despite government and corporate claims that there will be no environmental impact, it is obvious to anyone that a $500 million ski resort, with accommodations for 14,000 people, will have a major impact on wildlife habitat and ecosystems. According to a financial analysis and market assessment by the EAO, the BC government stands to gain the most with an estimated $1.1 billion in revenue upon project completion.
“[The] province of BC and its residents have the most to gain economically from a project of this nature compared to possible returns to the applicant (NGR) and associated investors. This point of view ignores any environmental impacts…”
Executive Summary – Review of the Market Assessment and Financial Analysis, EAO
After 2 and 1/2 years, Sutikalh continues to represent the will of the St’at’imc to protect one of the last, untouched mountain areas in their ancestral territory. It is also a model for other First Nations seeking to reoccupy traditional land and/or stop further destruction of territory by government and corporations.
STAND STRONG WITH SUTIKALH
HELP STOP THE CAYOOSH SKI RESORT!
The Best Way to Support Our Camp:
– Bring any food donations (rice, pasta, vegetables, etc.) and/or supplies (AA, C and D batteries, candles, tarps, etc.) directly to camp.
– Spread the word and stay informed.
– Visit camp, consider doing a ‘Tour of Duty’ at the Camp.
Directions to Sutikalh:
– Camp is located off Hwy. 99, half-way between Mt. Curie and Lillooet.
– Look for old logging road bridge over Cayoosh Creek. There is abanner in trees approx. 100 m north of bridge.
– Cross bridge and camp is down logging road on right, 100 m.
Sutikalh Chronology
2000-03
May 2, 2000 — Sutikalh camp is established by St’at’imc and their allies.
June 11, 2000 — Gathering at Sutikalh. 120 people from all 11 St’at’imc communities attend and overwhelmingly reject Cayoosh Ski Resort.
July 27-August 4, 2000 — Over 40 children and youth stay at Sutikalh. They gather food, drum, and participate in sweat lodge ceremonies. 1,500 pamphlets are distributed on Highway 99, and hundreds of signatures collected on petitions opposed to ski resort.
August 8, 2000 — St’at’imc crash Whistler meeting where Gordon Wilson, then-Minister of Employment and Investment, is speaking.
August 14, 2000 — Nancy-Greene-Raine Inc. receives certification from Environmental Assessment Office. In response, St’at’imc set up check-point on Hwy. 99 and distribute information (17 hours).
August 15, 2000 — Demonstration at Vancouver Stock Exchange to deter investors and publicize struggle. Support from various Aboriginal political organizations including the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Interior Alliance, United Native Nations, and Native Youth Movement.
September 16, 2000 — Information distributed on Hwy. 99, Hundreds of signatures collected on petitions.
September 30, 2000 — Rally in Mt. Currie in opposition to ski resort, asking people to vote No in upcoming referendum on ski resort.
October 2, 2000 — Mt. Currie referendum on ski resort Of some 800 eligible voters, 324 vote No, 46 Yes, to ski resort.
November 9, 2000 — Front gate camp at Sutikalh destroyed and burned down by a dozen unknown persons. RCMP investigation results in no charges.
Winter 2000/01 — Problems with hunters, skidooers, and hikers. Shots fired at camp. Several St’at’imc stay in camp over winter.
March 7, 2001 — Incident at front gate-two vehicles of unknown persons vandalize signs.
April 6, 2001 — RCMP assault camp member at front gate.
May 2, 2001 — First anniversary gathering at Sutikalh.
June-July, 2001 — All commercial trucks are blocked on Hwy. 99 for ten days, including logging trucks. Blockade creates controversy and tension, and finally ends with large police raid on camp, July 5. Over 40 RCMP, with dogs, a helicopter, and Emergency Response Teams, are used to arrest six camp occupants.
Fall-Winter 2001-02 — People continue to visit and drop off food andmaterial supplies.
May 2, 2002 — Second annual gathering at Sutikalh.
Summer-Fall 2003 — Sutikalh still stands. Warrior unity flag has flown at Sutikalh camp for over 2 1/2 years.
Spring at Sutikalh
MAY 27
by Gord Hill
WarriorPublications.wordpress.com, May 28, 2011
Recently, I spent two weeks at Sutikalh, the St’at’imc village established in 2000 to protect the Melvin Creek/Cayoosh Mountain range from a proposed all-season ski resort. Sutikalh is located halfway between Mount Currie and Lillooet along Highway 99 in southern BC, and recently celebrated its 11th anniversary.
I currently live in the Downtown Eastside, and Sutikalh is about as far away as you can get from such an environment. For two weeks I listened to birds chirping, instead of crackheads arguing (although I just noticed there are songbirds here in the ghetto as well!). It was also hella cold; although it’s warming up, the first week I was there the night time temperatures reached -4 degrees Celsius. At first there were fairly large patches of snow left, but after two weeks most of this had melted. But I toughed it out in my MEC Habanero sleeping bag, rated to -7. That, plus my army surplus fleece tops and bottoms, and an outer layer. It’s still cold at Sutikalh because the site is located at 3,500 feet above sea level!
The actual village is located on a previously logged out area, at the base of the mountain, which was replanted nearly two decades ago. It is a wild mix of Spruce, Cedar, Fir and Hemlock, with some Cottonwoods and groves of tangled up Alder. One thing that makes this area unique is that it is a transition zone between the wetter coastal climate and the drier interior. But although there is some vegetation associated with the interior, Sutikalh definitely has a coastal climate.
The water is pure, coming directly from the mountain ice and snow packs. The air is also clean, although Highway 99 which runs nearby has plenty of traffic, including locals, transport and fuel trucks, tourists, and tour buses. Despite the proximity of a vital transport/commuter link between the coast and interior, the village is in a very remote area, and there’s plenty of wildlife.
The main animals I noticed were the birds. There were 10 or so Stellar Jays who hung around the village, as well as Gray Jays, Hummingbirds, and Robins. Less frequently seen are hawks and a pair of very large Ravens. There was a rabbit that sneaks around the village site, and during my time there I saw its fur change from nearly all-white to light brown. On trails there was also fresh deer tracks and pellets, as well as bear droppings.
Each day we had to gather firewood, cuz like I said, it was still cold up there! All the wood was standing dead, and it had to be cut down and carried out of the forest to the village site. Another daily chore was getting water for washing, drinking, and cooking. This required carrying a large container of water from a nearby creek to the main longhouse.
Over the years, Sutikalh has hosted numerous gatherings for local St’at’imc people, international Indigenous youth, ceremonies, and supporters. It is one of the only long-standing, grassroots, sovereign Indigenous land reclamations in the province (along with the Sinixt).
Today, the initial threat that prompted the St’at’imc to mobilize against appears to have subsided. Al Raine and his partner, Nancy Greene, who comprised NGR Resources Inc., had applied to the BC government for a license to construct the ski resort. After the St’at’imc showed their determination to protect the area, NGR dropped the proposal and failed to renew their application.
Despite this, NGR or another developer could decide to pursue the project considering that extensive plans had already been made based on the potential market a ski resort would have. In addition, Greene, a former Olympic gold medal skier, also sits on the Senate and has considerable influence within the BC ski resort industry. NGR was also the company that Secwepemc communities have battled at Skwelkwek’welt/Sun Peaks (near Kamloops).
Sutikalh does not receive funding from any band council, NGO, foundation or corporation. It survives entirely on grassroots support. Donations of money, food, fuel, or other supplies are greatly appreciated. Hubert Jim, who maintains the village year-round, can be sent donations directly through the address below. Unfortunately the blog site doesn’t appear to have been updated for a year or so, but there is some background information there.
No Olympics on Stolen Land
Statement from Sutikalh Camp, St’at’imc Territory, Winter 2003
The 2010 Winter Olympics directly threatens unceded St’at’imc territory and Sutikalh camp. established in May 2000 to stop construction of a $530-million ski resort in the Melvin Creek area.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler is itself located on the territory of the Lil’wat, a community of the St’at’imc nation. To this day, most of BC remains unceded sovereign Indigenous territories by Canada’s own laws (inc. the 1763 Royal Proclamation).
Although fraudulent treaties were made across Canada as British colonial forces expanded westward (the Numbered Treaties), this process was discontinued in BC (with the exception of the Douglas Treaties, primarily on Vancouver Island around Fort Victoria, Fort Nanaimo, and Fort Rupert, and a small portion of Treaty 8 in the north-east corner of the province).
According to the 1763 Royal Proclamation, the British were to make treaties – surrenders of territory – before any trade or settlement could begin.
Virtually all of BC remains unceded Indigenous territory. The Royal Proclamation was re-affirmed in the 1982 Constitution Act, and remains law to this day.
BC is therefore an illegal and fraudulent government, which has neither the moral nor legal authority to govern, never mind claim land or carry out business.
The 2010 Winter Olympics represents a unique challenge to Indigenous territory and environment because of its already apparent and potential effects on the region.
These include the acceleration of the Sea-to-Sky highway expansion ($600-million), a project which will serve to open up the area to even more capital expansion and investment; and the allocation of $20-million to the Lil’wat and Squamish band councils, a move which has served to divide communities, to buy off some, and to pacify others.
This region is already one of N. Americas fastest growing markets for outdoor recreation and winter-sports tourism. That the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corp. has named the entire spectacle the ‘Sea-to’Sky Games’ only serves to further promote this “market.”
Any Winter Olympics will accelerate expansion of the winter-sports tourism industry and generate greater potential investment for NGR Inc., thereby posing a direct threat to Sutikalh and the mountain region it was established to protect.
Overall, 2010 will increase expansion of the entire ski resort industry. This means greater destruction of mountain eco-systems, forest, pure water, and the animals.
Moreover, the construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to support this industry is paid for by government, that is, through further taxation of society as a whole (and in the interest of the corporations).
The same is true for 2010. The Bid Corp. claims the Games will be self-financing. They say the $2-billion budget for 2010 is paid for through corporate sponsorship and tickets. But this is only true if massive government funding is not counted.
In preparation for 2010, officials tell us that a rapid-transit system must be built from Vancouver to the International Airport in Richmond ($2-billion); that the Sea-to-Sky Highway must be expanded ($600-million); that a new hockey arena at UBC must be built, along with a speed skating complex at SFU, and an athlete’s village (altogether a cost of $620-million); and that Vancouver will need a new trade and convention centre ($405-million).
With these and other projects government and corporations are trying to push through as “critical” needs for BC and 2010, the real costs of the Olympics will be $4-billion to $6-billion – most of it paid to corporations through government funding.
Despite a few jobs, the rest of society is further impoverished. The capitalists are the only ones to profit.
Leonard Peltier, an Anicinabe-Lakota jailed in the US for his involvement with the American Indian Movement, has observed, “They will justify their actions in the name of ‘development’… development? What the first peoples of the Americas need is ‘recovery’, not development. Recovery from the very same colonization, domination and genocide that multinational corporations want to perpetuate for their own gains today” (Statement against the FTAA, 2001).
As the world faces ongoing and escalating military conflicts, economic, political and environmental crises, the prospects for catastrophe increase daily. The world we leave for future generations will be decided in the choices and struggles we make today.
Our oral history tells us that the land will always be the source of survival and life itself.
It is this future 2010 directly threatens; we call on all Indigenous peoples and citizens of BC to reject, refuse and resist 2010!
We urge all citizens of Vancouver to vote No in the Feb. 22/03 plebiscite.
We demand that the International Olympic Committee not award 2010 to Vancouver on July 3/03, due to the ongoing and illegal occupation of Indigenous territories, in violation of both Canadian and international law.
Reject 2010, Refuse Social Impoverishment, Resist Environmental Destruction!
Defend Indigenous Territories!
More info:
From Protest to Resistance: A Report on the Campaign Against the 2010 Olympics (PDF)
St’at’imc/ Lil’wat Resistance History Documents (via Settlers in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty)
BC Native Blockades (Warrior Publications)
