June 20, 2000.

The Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh
Premier of British Columbia
156, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4

RE: Proposed Ski Resort at Melvin Creek

Dear Mr. Premier,

I am writing to you on a matter of urgency regarding the proposed ski resort in traditional St'at'imc territory at Melvin Creek.  As you know the St'at'imc Nation rejects this proposal which would have a devastating environmental impact on unceded St'at'imc lands.  The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs strongly supports the St'at'imc peoples' right to determine land and resource use decisions by their own laws.  St'at'imc Elders and Chiefs say there is no question that this project would destroy the critical wildlife habitat of endangered species and cause severe hardship for the St'at'imc people who continue to use this area for traditional activities.  This fact has also been confirmed by the Province's own wildlife experts and an independent consultant's report.

In the past, the Province has approved large scale development projects over the strenuous objections of Indigenous Nations who retain Aboriginal title and rights over their territories.  Proceeding with this project will infringe on and prejudice St'at'imc title and rights without their consent.  Their situation illustrates the fundamental flaws in the province's consultation policy and land/resource planning processes that do not conform to the legal principles regarding our Aboriginal title and rights set out in the Delgamuukw decision.  The St'at'imc are not alone in expressing the growing frustration of our people whose rights are being denied and overridden by the economic interests of developers.  Similar situations exist throughout the Province and the UBCIC is inundated with requests for support on this matter.

I note that the B.C. Environment Assessment Office's Project Committee reviewing the Melvin Creek proposal is scheduled to make it's recommendations report and referral to ministers regarding project certificate approval on June 30, 2000.  It is clear that the St'at'imc do not want this project in their territory, and the developers, Al and Nancy Greene Raine have said that they will not proceed without First Nations consent.  Under the circumstances, I urge your government to end this matter by denying project certification.

Regarding consultation policy and land/resource planning processes more generally, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and the Province are scheduled to undertake policy negotiation on these issues through the Joint Policy Council.  Clearly existing policy and processes are not working, and I hope that we can make substantive progress on this matter through ongoing discussions at the JPC table.

Sincerely, Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.