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Aboriginal people opposed to expansion at Sun Peaks Resort took their protest throughout the ski village Saturday, the first day of ski season, and distributed pamphlets to anyone who would listen.
Amid the skiers and snowboarders, the natives with their protest signs, aboriginal drums and songs stood out on the snow-covered terrain.
Earlier in the day, the crowd of about 40 met at the former native campsite on the right side of the road leading up to the village entrance (for safety reasons the camp was recently moved farther away from the road and to the left side).
Using road signs and a stop sign, members of the group slowed down and stopped traffic to pass out informational materials.
“Some people didn’t want the pamphlets and that was fine,” said Janice Billy, spokeswoman for the Secwepemc Watershed Committee.
She estimated about 100 pamphlets were given out during the time the group was up at Sun Peaks. The information material outlined concerns First Nations people have about a $70-million expansion to the resort, which includes a new hotel, chair-lifts and additional ski terrain. Issues raised by native people include threats to the environment and “intrusion” on lands they consider as part of their traditional territory.
The sight of aboriginal protesters was unsettling for some business operators at Sun Peaks.
“I can’t say I agree with all this happening -- them stomping through the village with their drums and their signs. I do live here and make my business here and I feel they’re trying to kick me off the mountain,” said Mark Beattie.
The general manager of Steller’s, a 68-seat restaurant at the ski hill, didn’t know how effective the protest through the resort would be when the issue was one that ultimately could only be settled by the provincial and federal governments.
“I understand their point but it’s above and beyond us as Sun Peakers,” said Beattie, who isn’t looking forward to the prospect of more protesters going through his restaurant.
He said one woman did come through on Saturday and was polite as she went from table to table asking his customers if they wanted some information.
He said it was a far better tone taken than one more than a month ago when a group of people “barraged” through his packed restaurant. That time he asked them to leave. This past weekend, he didn’t.
Customers who left McSporties, Ian McLaren’s ski and snowboard shop, were also approached by the native protesters.
“One wonders why they didn’t (protest) five years ago,” said McLaren. He noted expansion plans at Sun Peaks have long been on record as something that would eventually happen.
Sun Peaks Resort’s executive director of tourism said the operation has concerns about the presence of protesters on the hill.
“We’re in a bit of a delicate situation in that we can’t do anything about it. We’re the pawn in the protest they have,” said Mike Duggan.
He added he respects the right First Nations people have to protest.
However, he hopes that goes both ways.
“We respect a person’s right to protest. That’s a fundamental right we have as Canadians. But we conversely hope the aboriginal people recognize the legitimacy of our claim of where we are,” said Duggan, referring to the fact the ski hill is operating with all the approvals required by the province.
