PRESS RELEASE - February 19, 2010

(Okanagan Nation Territory , Vernon B.C.)– In response to the imminent threat of logging within the watershed that supplies the Okanagan Indian Band with much of its drinking water, Chief Fabian Alexis of the Okanagan Indian Band today announced that “all options were on the table” in order to protect his community’s water supply.

“The federal government has done nothing to protect the 1,800 people who live on the Okanagan Indian Band reserve,” noted Chief Alexis. “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.”

“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. This systemic racism will not stand,” declared Chief Alexis.

“We are also incensed by the fact that various Tolko contractors have continued to use Westside Road despite the signs clearly posted on our reserve. Thus we will be establishing a checkpoint on the portion of Westside road that we have jurisdiction over,” said Chief Alexis.

“A meeting of all concerned OKIB members will also be held from 11:00 am until 1:00pm this Saturday. The key resolution will be whether or not the community wishes to proceed with a full blockade of Tolko forestry operations in order to protect a key source of our community’s water,” said Chief Alexis.

“I would also remind everyone that title over these forest lands is something that is before the courts, therefore for the provincial government to allow as much clear cut logging as possible around our reserve before title reverts to us is not only utterly cynical it is in this instance thoroughly irresponsible,” concluded Chief Alexis.

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For more information please contact:

Chief Fabian Alexis cell (250) 306-2838, phone (250) 542-4328

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OKANAGAN NATION SLAMS GOVERNMENT INDIFFERENCE OVER SAFETY OF OKIB DRINKING WATER


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE - February 19, 2010

(Okanagan Nation Territory, Vernon B.C.) Grand Chief Stewart Phillip today slammed the “callous indifference” shown by the Minister of Forests. “I received a letter from Minister Pat Bell that makes it clear that the safety of the drinking water that supplies most of the 1800 people who live on the Okanagan Indian Band reserve is not as important to him as facilitating short term profits for Tolko.”

“This issue isn’t just about consultation, although the consultation Tolko has done has been less than perfunctory. It isn’t just about jurisdiction, even though who owns the forests is a matter that is presently before the courts, it first and foremost an issue about community health and safety,” declared Grand Chief Phillip.

“The Browns Creek watershed provides much of the drinking and irrigation water for the Okanagan Indian Band. This is the same watershed that Tolko is intent on logging and the province of BC has granted permission for them to clearcut,” said Chief Phillip.

“There has been a deafening silence from the federal government over this matter,” noted Phillip, “thus once again it is up to the Okanagan Nation community members to defend their own interests as they are not afforded the same protection as those living in non-aboriginal communities.”

“The fact that this conflict has continued to escalate is a direct result of active collusion between the government and Tolko and their utter disregard for not only our Aboriginal Title and Rights but the very health and safety of our families,” concluded Grand Chief Phillip.

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For more information please contact:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip at 604-684-0231 or cell 250-490-5314