Below is a statement from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band:
The Chief, Council, and the entire community wish to denounce the blatant racist comments and stances issued via letter by Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong, and Quilchena-Vancouver MLA Dallas Brodie.
The insinuations that “unfounded sovereignty claims” coupled with,” BC’ers have seen tax increases, healthcare and other public infrastructure fail, and cost of living soar out of reach” are somehow related to the struggle of indigenous rights, self-government, poverty, and marginalization, are disturbing, vicious, outright garbage, from two people who allege they “serve all British Columbians.”
The deepening racial conflict noted in the letter signed by both MLA’s is perpetuated by their actions & comments, not by reconciliation and understanding.
The sməlqmíx stand with our relations at snpink’tn Indian Band, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, and all others who call for the immediate resignation, or the recall and expulsion, of both Armstrong & Brodie as “honourable” Members of the Legislative Assembly. Their words, actions, and excuses are anything but honourable.
By characterizing their stance with “1871 British Columbia”, this history does not work. Indians, women, settlers, and immigrants were not equals in 1871 society. Source: Elections Canada. A Brief History of Federal Voting Rights in Canada | Elections Canada’s Civic Education
MLA’s Armstrong & Brodie: Learn, before you judge others. Process, before you lead others. Think before you speak to others about soaring prices, failed programs, & infrastructure. The tmxʷulaxʷ (lands), tmixʷ (all living things), sqilxʷ (people), & siwɬkʷ (water), are all suffering because of views you both continue to promote. Shame.
With deep humility and respect for those who continue to support reconciliation and understanding,
The chief & Council, Management, & Community,
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band
