NEWS RELEASE about IndigenousEnvironment posted on November 15, 2012 by

Ktunaxa Announce November 30th as Filing Date for Judicial Review of Jumbo Resort

by Ktunaxa Nation Council

For Immediate Release
November 15, 2012

Ktunaxa Announce November 30th as Filing Date for Judicial Review of Jumbo Resort

British Columbia –The Ktunaxa Nation have announced Friday November 30th as the
filing date of an application for judicial review of the approval of Jumbo Glacier Resort.

The Ktunaxa Nation will submit their filing with the BC Supreme Court in Vancouver,
where a contingent of Ktunaxa leadership will also make a public statement. In
conjunction with the filing, a rally will take place in Cranbrook BC, where it is intended
the court proceedings will ultimately be held.

Once a court date is set, a judge will hear arguments from the Ktunaxa on how the
approval of the resort represents a desecration of a principal Ktunaxa sacred site, the
likely undoing of Ktunaxa traditional spiritual and religious practices, and consequently a
significant and unjustifiable violation of Ktunaxa constitutional rights.

In March, the BC Government approved the controversial resort in the heart of an area
the Ktunaxa call Qat’muk (GOT MOOK). Located an hour west of Invermere, the
Qat’muk area is home to the Grizzly Bear Spirit, and is vital to Ktunaxa culture and
spirituality and the region’s environment.

“The Ktunaxa have clearly and consistently indicated that if this resort is built, it will
critically damage our religious rights and freedoms, which are provided to us by the
Canadian Constitution,” said Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Chair.

For Ktunaxa, Qat’muk is where the Grizzly Bear Spirit was born, goes to heal itself, and
returns to the spirit world. For the Ktunaxa, relying on the continuation of traditional
spiritual and religious practices, Grizzly Bear Spirit is a unique and indispensable source
of collective as well as individual guidance, strength, and protection. Qat’muk’s
importance for Grizzly Bear Spirit is inextricably interlinked with its importance for living
grizzly bears now and in the future.

"Ktunaxa have been on record as being opposed to this resort since it was first
proposed,” continued Teneese. “Our opposition is based principally on the spiritual
importance of the Qat’muk area for Ktunaxa people, as well as the concerns for the
protection of wildlife populations, biodiversity and water quality."
                                                                                      
Despite considerable and repeated efforts made by the Ktunaxa to convey the cultural,
spiritual and religious significance of Qat'muk, the BC Government approved the resort
on March 20, 2012. Efforts by Ktunaxa included the release of the Qat'muk Declaration
and Stewardship Principles and the release of the Shaffer Economic Report, which
concluded that there was no net economic benefit to the region or the Province of BC.

"The resort was approved despite the strong evidence of the critical impact it would
have upon our spirituality and culture," said Teneese. "We now have no other choice but
to challenge the BC Government's decision making process. We feel that this decision
will not stand in a court of law, and will be found to show that the BC Government did
not make the correct decision in approving the resort in the heart of Qat'muk."

"We feel it is important to protect our culture at any cost," said Teneese. "However, this
legal challenge is an expensive proposition to the Ktunaxa, and we are currently bearing
this cost alone. As a result, we are inviting the public to contribute to our legal costs
through our web site www.beforejumbo.com. There is also a second fund for visitors
which will support the cultural activities and education related to Qat’muk. Donations to
this fund qualify as charitable donations. We cannot issue tax receipts for the legal fund,
but we can for all donations over $20 to the cultural activities fund. All contributions are
greatly appreciated."

For more information on Qat'muk, or to donate money either to the legal action fund, or
to the charitable activities fund, please visit: www.beforejumbo.com

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Ktunaxa people have occupied the lands adjacent to the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers
and the Arrow Lakes of British Columbia, Canada for more than 10,000 years. For more
information on the Ktunaxa visit: www.ktunaxa.org

                                              –30–

For Further Information Contact:
Garry Slonowski
Communications Manager
Ktunaxa Nation Council
250-919-2848
gslonowski@ktunaxa.org