NEWS RELEASE about MediaIndigenousEnvironmentDirect Action posted on February 11, 2011 by totalfreedom365

Sincere Opposition or Political Opportunism?: Report Back from the NDP JUMBO WILD Rally

Marilyn James - Official Sinixt Nation Spokesperson

Sincere Opposition or Political Opportunism?: Report Back from the NDP JUMBO WILD Rally

On February 5th, 2011, in Nelson BC, approximately 250 people gathered to voice their opposition to the Jumbo Glacier Resort development on unceded Sinixt Territory. The Jumbo Rally was called by Nelson/Creston NDP MLA Michelle Mungall who has recently taken up opposition to the controversial proposal. After introducing herself, Michelle Mungall began by apologizing that no local First Nations representatives could attend. At this point supporters of the Sinixt Nation shouted out, “They are here!” and “Lies!” as Sinixt spokesperson Marilyn James approached the stage. It was as if, to Mungall, the Sinixt were ghosts.

The Sinixt have been care taking Jumbo for over 12,000 years, who better to speak about protecting this sacred place?

Marilyn James took the stage, and began by explaining that they had just arrived from Vancouver where the BC Supreme Court was hearing a Judicial Review in regards to Sinixt right to consultation regarding matters pertaining to their territory. She spoke of the Attorney General's charge against the Sinixt, and challenged settler society “If you mean reconciliation . . ” to charge them back. She followed by acknowledging “true comrades”, people who have been standing with them to protect this territory for at least the last twenty years.

James spoke passionately about taking a stand for Jumbo and stated, “You can be certain that the Sinixt have signed NO agreements with the Province of British Columbia,” During James' speech a leaflet, titled A Jumbo Deception, was distributed which gave further context to her words. A photo in the leaflet showed chief negotiator of the Ktunaxa council signing a “strategic engagement agreement” with the Minister of Mines, Energy & Petroleum Resources. The same chief negotiator who made the Qat'muk Declaration to protect Jumbo, that NDP MLA Michelle Mungall touted.

One person in the crowd interrupted Mungall as she waxed poetic about the Qat'muk Declaration and stated that “the Ktunaxa chief and council are engaged in the BC Treaty Process in an attempt to claim Sovereign Sinixt Territory as their own for profit.”

Mungall responded to the disruption by stating “we are not getting involved in First Nations matters.” The content of her speech proved just the opposite. Not only is Mungall clearly involved in First Nations matters, she is complicit in the theft of Sinixt land and culture. Her public relations charade on behalf of the puppet government of the Ktunaxa Nation, who are, as we speak, carving up Sinixt territory for development, through the BC Treaty Process, tells a different story.

*** It should be noted that the Ktunaxa chief and council are not the legitimate representatives of the Ktunaxa Nation. The imposition of the Indian Act in 1876, created the chief and council system which installed an elite governing class within traditional Indigenous communities who act not in the interest of their people, but in the interest of, and under the jurisdiction of the government of Canada.

After the rally Michelle Mungall was approached by someone in the crowd who offered her the Jumbo Deception leaflet, and explained the importance of learning the history of the land on which she stood. She refused to engage in any dialogue around the issue.

PROTECT JUMBO!!!

STOP THE BC TREATY PROCESS!!!

STAND WITH THE SINIXT!!!