ARROW LAKES – SYILX OKANAGAN NATION TERRITORY: Chief Clarence Louie, Tribal Chair of the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) of the Syilx Okanagan Nation issued the following statement in response to legal challenges filed against the BC government, over transborder consultation, by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation:
“As Rights and Title holders, and as the successor group for Sinixt people in Canada, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, as represented by the Chiefs Executive Council, agrees with the BC government’s approach to prioritizing consultation with BC-based First Nations, and to consulting with US Tribes at a notification level.
“We are disappointed by these legal challenges and accusations of discrimination, which are inconsistent with the way the BC government has worked diligently with our Nation and others, to ensure BC-based First Nations rightly remain the priority of the province, while still meeting the legal obligations of previous court rulings.
“The interests of our Sinixt members are protected and advanced by our Nation in Canada, and we remain committed to protecting our Territory in the Arrow Lakes. We will be reviewing these claims against the BC government and will respond in due course, when and if necessary.”
For more information please visit: https://syilx.org/arrowlakes/
To arrange media interviews:
Andrew Frank
CEC Communications Advisor
604-367-2112