Voice for the Voiceless: Indigenous camp aims to protect ancient village and trading ground from logging

by Nicky Young & Adam Gold, Ricochet Media, July 15, 2015

A flag with an eagle crest blows in the wind above a logging road that shows the concave impressions of roofs of ancient pit-houses. Looking up, mountains are scarred from clear-cutting and pine beetle infestations, and the haze of forest fires lies over the horizon. Downward sits a camp of tents and tipis, where Elders visit, laugh and share stories with guests.

Video: A Voice for the Voiceless

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-3SUTQcIiXg“>

by River Voices, Published on May 23, 2015

On March 16th Voice for the Voiceless Camp set up to protect Junction Creek area.

Today the camp is denying access to Aspen Planers the company who will be trying to start up their logging again in Junction Creek any day now. It is the wish of Xwisten elders, the camp, children of Xwisten among many others that there be no further logging in this area of their territory.

Voice for the Voiceless: Standing up for St’át’imc cultural heritage and traditional way of life.

Press Release, April 27th 2015

Junction Creek, Yalakom Valley, Xwisten (Bridge River), St’át’imc

On March 16th Voice for the Voiceless Camp set up to protect Junction Creek area

Today the camp is denying access to Aspen Planers the company who will be trying to start up their logging again in Junction Creek any day now. It is the wish of Xwisten elders, the camp, children of Xwisten among many others that there be no further logging in this area of their territory.

St’at’imc re-occupation aims to stop logging, call for support

Christine Jack, on right, at Junction Creek, Xwisten Territory in the St’at’imc nation, March 16, 2015.

From Voice of the Voiceless, Junction Creek (Xwisten Territory, St’at’imc Nation), April 13, 2015

URGENT!!!
We have heard that Aspen Planers is going to start logging at Lac Le Mer, very near the camp, this week! We think they will be trying to start at Junction Creek too. Christine Jack who has been living at the camp is requesting support. We need more people up there ASAP!!!!

Voices of the Voiceless camp is an Indigenous re-occupation of Junction Creek area in Xwisten territory, St’at’imc Nation. This camp was set up on March 16th under the direction of Xwisten elders to stop the logging by Aspen Planers. The site of the VoV Camp is just below a heritage site that has huge cultural significance to Xwisten people. Junction Creek summer village has been a traditional meeting place where people come to hunt, gather and process food. The Xwisten people continue to access and use Junction Creek for these traditional purposes today.