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Chief Fabian Alexis, band member Dan Wilson, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip have set up a blockade at Browns Creek near Vernon.
By Kathy Michaels
Only a day has passed since the Okanagan Indian Band blockaded Tolko’s entrance to the Browns Creek watershed and it’s already become fodder for international news coverage.
A German film crew was at the blockade near Vernon yesterday morning, said Chief Fabian Alexis, from the roadside check-point set up in front of the band’s public works office on Westside Road.
And with hordes of Olympic media close at hand, it’s suspected more will follow to chronicle the breakdown of negotiations that in some form have taken the better part of the decade —offering an alternate view of First Nation relations than what’s been shown to date.
Concerns over Browns Creek are long-standing. Since 2003 the band has been before the courts dealing with it in some form and contending further logging in that area would threaten the viability of the surrounding community’s water supply while damaging archeological sites. In recent years they’ve taken on Tolko Industries. Talks over the chunk of land have consistently been peaceful, but this Saturday they reached a boiling point.
Believing Tolko Industries would soon start moving equipment and crews into the watershed, band elders called an emergency meeting.
Once there, the 100 in attendance voted unanimously to blockade and by Monday 60 band members were at the site this morning when Tolko representatives came by to assess the situation, said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.
“Tolko arrived at 9:45 a.m. and their senior officials approached us and singled out Chief Fabian Alexis and myself and asked us if we would allow equipment and crews passage,” he explained. “We said ‘no.’”
The exchange was cordial, said Phillip, adding that it was repeated twice and seemingly scripted. He added it is likely Tolko will be invoking an injunction order sometime this week.
While the Okanagan band insists Tolko Industries doesn’t have a right to log while land claims remain unresolved, a B.C. court ruled Feb. 11 that the Vernon-based logging company could go ahead with cutting in the Browns Creek area following an archeological consultation.
That consultation was less than genuine and the judge’s decision to move ahead during the winter was ultimately flawed, contend both Stewart and Alexis —who have gained the support of the Union of British Columbian Indian Chiefs —and that’s why they’ve taken this course of action.
Stewart pointed out that it would be impossible to conduct an archeological investigation with four feet of snow on the ground, but Tolko did it anyway. When they went to bring their new evidence back to the judge, they were told she was on vacation and they’d have to go another route. Blockading, ultimately, is what was chosen.
“The provincial government has made it clear that the financial interests of Tolko are of greater concern to them than the health and safety of the people who derive their drinking and irrigation water from the Browns Creek watershed,” said Chief Alexis.
“When it comes to protecting the watersheds that supply Vernon with its water, government agencies would not hesitate to act, but suddenly when it involves our community, our concerns are discounted.”
It’s an issue that has an impact beyond First Nation people as well, he said, pointing out that here are many non-natives in the region who would be impacted.
Perhaps that’s why those who are set up at a check-point are receiving a fairly warm reception.
As they drove by signs bearing messages like, “Save our water, say no to Tolko” drivers of all races waved, honked and gave thumbs up to those who were taking on check-stop duty.
“There’s been some good suggestions and support from our neighbours who don’t just reside on the reserve,” said Alexis.
Throughout the process, Tolko representatives have said the area of dispute, which has been heavily impacted by the mountain pine beetle epidemic, is a vital timber supply for the company’s sawmill in Armstrong.
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Chief Fabian Alexis, band member Dan Wilson, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip are at a blockade at Browns Creek near Vernon.
10 Responses to “Okanagan Indian Band’s blockade gaining international attention”
Tags: browns creek, browns creek blockade, tolko
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The action provoked by Stewart and Co. should not come a s a surprize. They lost their bid for an injunction with respect to any archelogical concerns and so they find another injustice using the pretense of the danger the logging will have on their watershed. When that too is reveiled to be bogas they will find yet another excuse to invoke and become above the law.
I refer to this approach as the First Nations 99 Yard syndrome. Just when you feel some progress is being made they retreat back to find another obstacle and begin to start over again. It’s a game they play to bring attention to their poor me approach in 2010 and P Stewart is a master at it. Afterall he can ride around in a new vehicle along with his wife, attend conferences all over the country, play with his Blackberry while dining in a restuarant while plotting how he can keep his constituency in ongoing proverty so the federal money keeps rolling in to be wasted again.
Lets get real and call this what it is…and quit with the political correctness.
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I have to agree with the OIB that completing an archeological study, with snow on the ground, seems to be, at the very least, an absurdity, if not a provocation.
And why Brown Creek, why now ? Does Tolko not have other areas they can harvest ? Most of the B.C. interior has bug-kill to log, why this bug-kill ?
Finally, to the previous comments- A/. Are you seriously suggesting Grand Chief Phillip ride around on a horse, and communicate with smoke signals ? I hope not.
And although I personally do not think it is relevant, I am Caucasion, I work in the (unsubsidized) private sector, and do not have an axe to grind one way or the other.
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WoW First Nations 99 Yard Syndrome!!!I’m taken back by your comment,and wonder if you are a Stewart Stalker! You seem to know so much about specficic deatails about him right down to the “new veichle” However I fail to see you mention the real issue here and that is Fresh Drinking Water!Geez your people have almost everything already and when we stand up as First Nations and rage against the machine, this is the best you can do!!!Listen Al or whatever your name is we were here first, so just pay your taxes cause what ever the crown owns we own!!!
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I find the comments absurd on Chief Phillip and Chief Alexis. This is their land as much as people in the area deny it. They should have the right to have and control their own economic destiny to improve their communities. What is wrong with that with all the broken promises that these people have endured? It’s not the so called Canadian way to delay treaty negotiations for decades and hide under the covers when international interest decides to investigate the matter.
The international press should come down from Vancouver. Even Britain, who encouraged this carry on with broken promises starting the historical mess in the first place , should not hide and owe up to its responsibilities. These people are tired of the INAC welfare handouts from the federal governemnt and want to forge community based solutions that benefit all of us in the valley. Let them have their say because we need to fix this system. Keep talking trying to sort this out Harper and quit provoking, as with the prorogued parliament, you have plenty of time on your hands then to sort this out, as this is a matter of Olympic proportions that needs to be solved for all concerned past any ministry level. Blocakdes don’t work, but sincere peaceful negotiations with international monitors forces agreements.
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Perhaps I never made my point……the fact is you are not above the law and you do not have sole ownership of the Crown assets…Know please don’t quote song and verse of recent courts decisons stating otherwise because that is not what they meaningly state. My reference to his car is that while he does avail himself of all of the modern conveniences the people he represents continue to live below the proverty line. Of course everyone deserves the right to clean and safe drinking water but more importantly they have the right to fair and just governace which I’m afraid most band mebers do not enjoy because of the corrupt nature of your national leaders not the Crown.
I am not a Stewart Stalker, in fact, I could care less about him and the other leaders that represent first nation except to say they have you exactly where they want to…and that I could care less about you culturely modified trees that may have been done by your people or those that proceeded you of which there were if you haven’t figured that out…
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Machell send me your email adress and I’ll send you something you and everyone in your band should read….
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Al
Whether or not Stewart rides around in a new car or uses a Blackberry, the assertions about watershed protection are correct.
“the fact is you are not above the law and you do not have sole ownership of the Crown asset”
“Of course everyone deserves the right to clean and safe drinking water but more importantly they have the right to fair and just governace”
I do not think the governance is fair and just if the court ruled that the watershed may be logged, against recommendations. The OKIB has a right to dispute this ruling to protect the people who depend on that watershed.
“in fact, I could care less about him and the other leaders that represent first nation except to say they have you exactly where they want to…”
Where would that be? Supporting a just cause? What if it was your watershed that was in danger?
I won’t spend more time on this, but I would like to say that if you want to support the OKIB in this, don’t bother arguing with people like Al. Instead, go out and support the blockade or at least send a letter to your local MLA or MP in support:
“Chief Alexis is asking people to call their local MLAs and MPs to express their support for the OIB.
Supporters are also encourage to attend the blockade in person. If you’re in the area, a ride can possibly be arranged by contacting the Okanagan Indian Band Territorial Stewardship Office at (250) 542-7132.
For more information please contact: Chief Fabian Alexis cell (250) 306-2838, phone (250) 542-4328 or Sherry Louis, Executive Assistant Okanagan Indian Band – 12420 Westside Road, Vernon, BC, V1H 2A4 – okibcouncil@okanagan.org – PH: 250.542.4328 FAX: 250.542.4990″
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I would like to take exception to idea that I am argumentative with respect to this matter. While I haven’t read the judgement given in favour of harvesting in the Brown Creek watershed I do want to point out the ongoing approach taken by a few in resolving land use issues in this province.
First Nation ( I say that knowing that this group were not the first native Canadians ) and local Bands continualy disrespect our jusdical system unless it fits with their agenda which simply stated is to do everything possible to prolong Treaty discussions and maintain their dependence on the status quo to avoid finality.
Instead of blockades and the repeated retoric of poor us change your approach and put your efforts towards getting over the past and begin to move forward….you past is gone forever. Non Native Canadians are tired of your antics so approach your concerns with a sense of resolution rather than revolution.
Develop models such as that of Chief Louie in Osoyoos and not that of former Chief Stewart of the PIB which is to think and act in the 19th century. The fact is we did arrived on shore and while we have much to be ashamed of the country has made an apology many times over.
I for one reject your confrontational methods when as a spoiled child if you don’t get things you own you way you resort to you continual temper tantrums…
Get over it. Oh…. but why the perfect opportunity exists because the internation media happens to be on our door step.
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Al “…I hear intergenerational trauma arguments over and over and over. I hear that the reason why Natives consistently serve as the poster children for FAS, teen suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence is because of what happened to us in the distant AND not-so-distant past, ok, I can dig that. That makes some sense (and I hold any questions regarding whether ALL people have gone through some trauma in the past).
“Still like in Haiti at some point we have to ask the question, “Despite the intergenerational trauma, how much of our pain/suffering is of our own creation?” I venture that the answer is more than we like to admit. Thing is, if we use that intergenerational trauma rationale as the reason for our continued struggles/destruction, exactly where does it get us? Dead, but with a great excuse for our demise? Drug addicted, but with a great excuse for our addiction? A people filled with teenaged mothers, but with a great excuse for why we simply perpetuate the same cycle? See, we can continue to use, like Haiti, colonial mistreatment and governmental antipathy as an excuse for every failure under the sun but it doesn’t help any of our kids to get college degrees or any of our teens to get out of the suicide-laden rut that we’re in. Excuses will not help us to escape our rut they only provide our children another reason to believe that they are not equal with non-Natives.
“So yeah, we can ramble on and on about how Natives have been screwed historically and that some poverty is a by-product of that; we wouldn’t be lying. Still, we can also say, since we’re being so honest, that we really don’t use condoms nearly enough and we create more acute poverty because of our lack of self-control. Further, yes, we can honestly say that Natives got the short end of many sticks. “But can we can honestly say that Natives, collectively, do a good enough job proactively teaching drug and alcohol prevention? I think that if we were to answer that question honestly, the answer might make us mad. It would be one that we wouldn’t want to agree with. But the answer would be there, looking us dead in the eye.”
Over a year ago I wrote a column, “Let Go the Chains of Victimhood,” which caused a considerable stir in Indian Country, and I was branded by some as a heretic. Many said that I was blaming the victim, that multigenerational trauma was a proven fact, and that I was in a state of denial. Some even suggested that I wrote what I did because I had never experienced the suffering of boarding school life (although all my school years from the time I was four years old in 1939 to my graduating in 1952, were in a Catholic Indian boarding school).
Along with some very insulting e-mail and blog comments, I had also gotten some excellent materials from scholars and sociologists relating to multigenerational trauma. It was convincing, and I appreciate the understanding I have gotten from these people, and files of materials they’ve sent.
But my argument has always been and still is that, despite the fact of multigenerational trauma, we need to do something to get past that stage, and to quit perpetuating it. As Mr. Ross puts it, we must stop “providing our children another reason to believe they are not equal with non-Natives.”
Evelyn Blanchard, a Native woman whose mind I greatly respect, told me about a book that would give me some insights, a book titled “The Holocaust is Over We Must Rise from the Ashes,” by Avraham Burg. In the blurb on the dust cover the following sentences grabbed my attention: “By dwelling on its victimhood…. Jewish society fails to define itself by its positive attributes, and inhibits its own ability to move forward. Though it is important to honor the memory of victims and survivors, the Jewish community must not isolate itself by constantly mourning the past and fearing the future.”
This is precisely what Gyasi Ross is saying, and it is what I had written about in the past. In Gyasi I feel that I have found a strong, articulate and courageous ally in a common efforts to encourage our people – especially our youth, to not be inhibited by tragedies in our history. We must move on.
But I want fresh drinking water while I move on!!
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Okanagan people stay strong! You protect your part of the planet for all of us including the fools. We the Maori people of Aotearoa /New Zealand are aware of your action and we send you our suppport, thanks and best wishes
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