PENTICTON BAND SUPPORTS NYM

Pentiction Indian Band
Press Release
April 17, 1998

PRESS RELEASE: BC TREATY COMMISSION - OCCUPATION APRIL 17, 1998

Approximately 60 members of the Vancouver based Native Youth Movement, have "reoccupied" the offices of the British Columbia Treaty Commission offices in downtown Vancouver on April 17, 1998. Exactly one year ago today, the Native Youth Movement has occupied the same British Columbia Treaty Commission offices.

Again the Native Youth Movement is accusing the BCTC of "collaborating" with the so-called Native Leaders of the First Nations Summit for the purpose of "totally surrendering" the rights of Native youth throughout the Province of BC. Further, due to the Delgamuukw court case, the present treaty process is illegal.

At this time the owners of the offices have confined the protestors to the building and are denying them washroom privileges. Again, the Penticton Indian Band is warning the Vancouver Police Department, BCTC, and the BC Treaty Commission office owners, Wicklow West, that if any harm comes to the Native Youth movement, they will be held accountable to the Penticton Indian Band.

We will not allow our Native Youth to be abused in any way, shape or form.

For information from the protesters please call:
BCTC at (604) 490-5314
Monty Joseph or Dave Dennis, NYM

Chief Stewart Philip
Okanagan Nation

Penticton Indian Band
RR #2, Site 80, Comp. 19, Penticton, BC V2A 6J7