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Iskut Elders and Community Voice Omitted In Special Elders Gathering In Dease Lake BC Apr 23,24,25 |
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Written by Iskut Band (posted by tyler)
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Monday, 02 May 2005 |
This is a press release from the Iskut First Nation, one of the two Tahltan bands.The Tahltan comprise only two bands, previously unified under the Chief Jerry Asp and the Tahltan Central Council. However in January, Tahltan Elders occupied the offices of the Central Council protesting development plans. The Iskut Band Council decided to support the protesters. While Jerry Asp and the Tahltan Central Council have sought to undermine the protest by finding their own Elders who would support development plans. The Central Council recently arranged an Elders meeting, which was dominated by these pro-development elders supporting Asp, where several motions were passed on behalf of the whole Tahltan nation in support of development. The following is the reply of the Iskut Band Council, and in a related item below is the response of the Elders who have occupied the Central Council offices since January. -Tyler McCreary
April 28, 2005 In response to a misleading press release from the Tahltan Central Council, issued April 25 2005, we the Iskut Elders and Community would like to make clear that our voice was omitted at the Special Elders gathering in Dease Lake BC.
The Elders and Community of Iskut did not have a voice in the passing of resolutions that supported and gave Tahltan Central Council “the sole and proper authority to address issues of Tahltan title, rights and interests. In addition, they had not provided a mandate to any body or government to undertake discussions, negotiations and other actions on behalf of the Tahltan people.”
The Iskut Elders and Community were unable to attend the Elders Gathering co-ordinated by the Tahltan Central Council from April 23 to April 25, 2005 due to the passing of a respected elder in our community.
Under the traditional laws, it is customary in the event of a death, especially the passing of an elder, that all social, educational and political activities be cancelled and all energies be directed towards providing support to grieving families and the traditional mortuary. The people of Iskut are saddened and very disappointed that traditional Tahltan laws were totally disregarded in this respect.
Furthermore, the Iskut First Nation Band Council, on the advice of the Telegraph and Iskut Elders Council, formally withdrew their support of the Tahltan Central Council on March 3, 2005 and therefore would like it be known that the Iskut Elders and Community are:
- A separate entity
- Not represented by any central government, Tahltan or otherwise
- Able to speak on their behalf with third party interests (only designated representatives of the Iskut Elders Council with designation to do so)
- In full support of the objectives of the Tahltan Elders sit-in (ongoing in the Tahltan Band office in Telegraph BC)
- The Iskut Elders and Community are in full support of all the objectives of the Tahltan Elders Statement “Dena nenn Sogga neh ‘ine” (Protectors or Keepers of the Land)
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 May 2005 )
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