Salmon Arm Observer, March 22, 2013

Page 1

Shuswap Your Classified Connection / Vol. 24 No. 12 Friday, March 22, 2013

Market News

Inside Shuswap

A2 Out of the playoffs ’Backs drop four straight to Vees. Plus South Shuswap Sports

Protesters occupy band office By Barb Brouwer

market news staff

A8 A20

Chase

A21 Banner presentation

Miss Chase candidates get sponsorships. Plus What’s On A22 Wharf work A23

Flyers z Askew’s z Canadian Tire* z Chase Sears* z City Furniture* z Coopers* z Home Hardware* z Mark’s WorkWear* z Peoples Drug Mart* z Rona* z Safety Mart* z Safeway z Save On Foods z Shoppers Drug Mart z Superstore* z Staples* z Walmart* z Wholesale Club*

James murray/market news

Triple threat

n Despite the variable weather conditions, skateboarders Travis Mikulin, Alexander Poulton and Malcolm Hobson ride the rail at the skateboard park at Blackburn Park.

*Limited distribution

The Power of Spring

Tractors Starting at

A polite but determined group of Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band members took over the band office at 9 a.m. Monday, March 18 citing a violation of their rights. Rocky Tomma says the office will remain closed until a meeting can be held with Chief Felix Arnouse and band council members Brian Finlay and Tess Tomma, who is currently out-of-town. Neither Arnouse, nor the band council members responded to requests for comment before press time. “As a Little Shuswap Lake Indian band member, I can no longer sit idle and continue to be oppressed by the leadership and the rules, regulations and policies that are currently in place through this dictatorship,” asserts protest organizer Rocky Tomma in a written statement. Quoting a section of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Tomma says the absence of general band meetings and lack of financial updates on the band or corporate endeavours, or on current and future developments, violates his rights, and those of other band members living off the reserve. Tomma also takes issue with the Feb. 22 election in which Chief Felix Arnouse was re-elected, maintaining no provision was made for mail-in ballots. He calls for a re-election in order to “promote peace and harmony within the community and provide equal rights to all on- and off-reserve members.” Chase RCMP Const. Rob Claypool, the local First Nations liaison, has visited the band office several times a day since the protest began. “There was no violent takeover; it was very peaceful and they did allow payroll staff to stay for the day so they could still look after business,” he says, noting there are usually six or seven people supporting Tomma’s protest. “There is a willingness on both parts to solve this.”

199999

$

YTH22K42

Lawnmowers $ Starting at

299.99

Dependable performance

The QUALITY and POWER you expect Trimmers Starting at

169.99

$

EQUIPMENT & RENTALS LTD.

1050 30th St. S.W. Salmon Arm www.woodsmanequipment.com

832-4045 Mon. to Fri. 8 AM to 5:30 PM Sat. 8 AM to 4 PM


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.