Williams Lake Tribune, January 15, 2013

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Breaking news, video, photo galleries, and more always online at www.wltribune.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013

Proudly serving Williams Lake and the Cariboo-Chilcotin since 1930

VOL. 83. No. 5

$1.34 inc. HST

Quiet weekend for RCMP Over the weekend, the Williams Lake RCMP responded to less than 50 calls for service making this an unusually quiet weekend with the most common occurrence being false alarms (7 separate occurrences).

Committee of the Whole meeting cancelled The city sent out a notice on Jan. 11 stating that city council has cancelled its Committee of the Whole Meeting originally scheduled for Jan. 15. Council will next meet at its regular meeting scheduled for Jan. 22.

Inside the Tribune

Monica Lamb-Yorski photo

First Nations and non-First Nations took to the streets Jan. 11 in Williams Lake in support of Ontario Chief Theresa Spence and the Idle No More movement.

NEWS A3 Seniors’ Centre receives funding.

Third rally supports Idle No More

SPORTS A11 Stamps win East Division.

Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer

COMMUNITY A14 Studio Theatre presents Closer. Weather outlook: Sunny today, high of 4 C. Mix of sun/ cloud tomorrow, high of 6 C.

PM 0040785583

Under sunny skies and double digits below zero temperatures Friday around 100 people attended the third rally First Nations organized in Williams Lake to support Ontario Chief Theresa Spence and the Idle No More movement. “Chief Spence began her fast on Dec. 11 asking for the federal government to meet with First Nations about our issues and the protection of the environment,” said Nemiah Valley Chief Marilyn Baptiste. “That meeting is taking place today. I ask you to pray for her that she can keep her strength, as well for our national Chief Shawn Atleo and all of our other leaders that are meeting with Mr. Harper and our government.” Similar rallies were being held in other cities and towns in B.C, she said. Soda Creek chief Bev Sellars said her intent for attending the rally was for First Nations and non-

First Nations grandchildren. Quoting from a Cheyenne First Nation in the U.S., Sellars said “A nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Then it is done, no matter how great its warriors are or how strong its weapons are.” Looking around the crowd, Sellars commented that she saw strong woman joining their brothers to fight for First Nations rights, along with the non-indigenous people who attended the rally. “We have the international community looking at the treatment of First Nations in Canada,” Sellars said. Cariboo Chilcotin NDP candidate Charlie Wyse emphasized the importance of the rally in Williams Lake and the Idle No More movement. “I want to acknowledge the rights of indigenous people and the much broader issue that the Idle No More movement is demanding,” Wyse said. “People are saying loudly and

forcefully that they are no longer comfortable or are going to accept not being consulted, not being provided with the opportunity for their opinions or point of view to be presented to the decision makers.” The principle that governs all of Canada is being seriously challenged, Wyse added. “When you get omnibus bills like C-45 they remove all of these possibilities for discussion about the effect of development on the environment,” Wyse added. Baptiste said the Navigation and Protection Act changes in the omnibus bill will have an impact. “The last time when we won against the Prosperity Mine, the Navigation Protection Act was a part of helping us win,” she said. “Now the waters in the Chilcotin are not protected under the act. It’s about navigable waters, it’s not about protecting the waters from pollution, so people can continue to navigate in a boat, in a canoe, etc. on the waters.” The rally started in the Save-

On-More parking lot. From there participants marched past Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett’s office, city hall, and ended up inside the provincial government building on Borland Street. At the second rally held Dec. 31, 2012 Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Anne Louie encouraged people to contact their MPs. While on the road in Alberta, Prince George Cariboo MP Dick Harris told the Tribune Friday afternoon his office has not received any calls or correspondence regarding the Idle No More movement. “I’m in and out of Ottawa and my riding and I haven’t had any,” Harris said. Responding to some of the comments made at the rally in Williams Lake, Harris suggested changes to the Navigation and Protection Act will put the authority on to local governments. See MP Page A2


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