The killing of wildlife on Skwl膩x te Secwepemc煤lecw band land has forced Kukpi7 (Chief) James Tomma91裸聊视频檚 hand in keeping unauthorized mushroom pickers out of the already fragile area.
The 2023 Bush Creek East wildfire resulted in an influx of morel mushrooms this spring. The band said the valuable fungi have attracted 91裸聊视频渉undreds91裸聊视频� of pickers who don91裸聊视频檛 always respect the still recovering land.
Tomma explained the band has been having problems with trespassers leaving garbage behind, having fires, setting up permanent camps and cutting trees. Slain wildlife, however, was the final straw.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e getting people that feel that they91裸聊视频檙e entitled and have a right to be there, but with that, they91裸聊视频檙e not doing their due diligence or responsibilities91裸聊视频� and sadly we91裸聊视频檙e seeing some animals being killed,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲hether that91裸聊视频檚 mushroom pickers or not, the fact is when we find dead does and fawns and bears being shot for no particular reason is quite disheartening.91裸聊视频�
Tomma said photos have been submitted to BC Conservation, but until someone is actually caught in the act, they can91裸聊视频檛 know who91裸聊视频檚 responsible. The band91裸聊视频檚 Territorial Resource Stewardship (TRS) department confirmed that in addition to a dead deer they91裸聊视频檇 found, two bears had also been killed and 91裸聊视频渢here was two people bragging about doing it to buyers91裸聊视频� on the may long weekend.
Tomma said the band will now be putting up a gate on Scotch Creek Forest Service Road to block public access, which he expected to be in place a day or two after talking to the Observer on May 29, with a permit system to be implemented the following week.
In early May, the band had requested assistance from the province, but that has been 91裸聊视频渓imited.91裸聊视频� Tomma has been speaking with Assistant Deputy Minister Jamie Jeffreys, adding 91裸聊视频渟he91裸聊视频檚 actually in my chambers now talking to some of my Guardians [of the Land].91裸聊视频�
Skwl膩x is not only working to keep people out because of the disrespect being shown, but also environmental protection as the area, Tomma said, is still in a state of emergency and more vulnerable since the fires.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 something that we and the rest of the public have to understand and do to help Mother Nature recover,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that the things being done are 91裸聊视频渏ust not conducive to recovery.91裸聊视频�
There is also the concern of safety, not only for band members that have been threatened with violence, but also the pickers themselves, with one having had to be rescued by the RCMP and search and rescue after getting lost near Adams Lake.
91裸聊视频淪ome of these people, these weekend warriors91裸聊视频� go in there just totally unprepared. And there91裸聊视频檚 been a few situations where people had to be helped out by some of the locals because they91裸聊视频檙e just not equipped or understand the danger that is posed out there91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Tomma pointed out. 91裸聊视频淭hey not only put themselves in danger, but also the kind people that end up helping them if something happens to them. And they take away resources that should be put to use in better places.91裸聊视频�
He added that while the threat against his band members hasn91裸聊视频檛 yet escalated to actual violence, 91裸聊视频渢he potential for it is always there.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淪o there91裸聊视频檚 a lot of reasons behind me putting a gate up, and if I don91裸聊视频檛 get the help from the province91裸聊视频� I have no choice but to lock it. I just hope that all the locals are understanding that what we91裸聊视频檙e doing here is to protest of to have a confrontation, it91裸聊视频檚 all for the protection of the land, because as First Nations people, we91裸聊视频檙e the original stewards of the land and we91裸聊视频檙e going to exercise that now.91裸聊视频�
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