15 Years of Resistance at Sutikalh

Warrior flag flying over Sutikalh.

by Tyson Kelsall, Vancouver Observer, March 9, 2015

Since 2000, Hubert Jim has watched over Sutikalh with an attentive eye and clear love for this place. From the nearby highway, following along a creek bed to a small opening, he occupies a lone cabin that was erected during a blockade.Fifteen years ago, Olympic gold medalist skier and now Conservative Party Senator Nancy Greene-Raine was given permits to develop a $500 million all-season ski and recreation resort. The project was to be located in the pristine wilderness of Cayoosh Canyon, originally and now known as Sutikalh, near Pemberton, British Columbia. The proposal was met with Indigenous opposition, both in the form of legal battles and a physical blockade. To date, it has never been built.

Masked and helmeted security guards at Lillooet construction site

)

via West Coast Native News, March 11, 2014

The St’at’imc in Lillooet, BC, have been blockading and protesting infrastructure work in the Cayoosh Creek since January of this year.  On March 10, the contractor deployed up to 8 security personnel from Griffin Security, clad in black uniforms, face masks, and what appear to be ballistic helmets. 

First Nations protest lingers against proposed Melvin Creek ski resort

Lil’wat man who is camping out in the Cayoosh mountain range says he’s protecting

Warrior flag flying over Sutikalh.

the traditional land of the St’át’imc people

By Yolande Cole, The Georgia Straight, September 13, 2012

Hubert Jim has occupied an unusual home for the last decade. Originally a resident of the Lil’wat First Nation community of Mount Currie, Jim used to work as a cook in restaurant kitchens in the Whistler area. Over 12 years ago, community opposition to a proposed ski resort prompted him to set up camp at Melvin Creek, or what is referred to by the St’át’imc people as Sutikalh.