In the wake of last Sunday’s emergency rescue of a paraglider above Sun Rivers – and the subsequent arrest of a man who allegedly interfered with the Search and Rescue Team – the Chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc wants people to stay off of reserve lands.

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says people hoping to access reserve lands need written permission from Chief and Council, unless they’re travelling on public roads and  heading to residential and commercial areas.

“Extensive land use planning has identified areas for leasing, areas for ceremonial purposes as well as archaeological and cultural sites,” Casimir said. “It is critical that our reserve lands remain protected and that all residents and visitors are safe in permitted areas.”

“We provide this important reminder that any activities of any type that ventures outside of public roads and leased areas is unauthorized and unsafe.”

She says unauthorized access to the band’s land constitutes a breach of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc property rights, governance rights and bylaws and the Indian Act.

“To be clear, trespass includes both on the ground access and aerial access,” Casimir said. “The public is reminded to respect the No Trespassing signs that are posted throughout the reserve.”

“Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc intends to protect its rights and property to the full extent of the law, and to exercise all available rights and remedies in order to do so, including pursuing charges against those who trespass on our lands.”

More to come