The Lil'wat Nation and N'Quatqua First Nation held a peaceful protest on the morning of Aug. 22 in response to the B.C. government's one-month closure of Pipi7íyekw/Joffre from Sept. 2 to Oct. 3. Lil'wat and N'Quatqua said they told the province back in December 2024 they wished to see the third closure of the year run from Aug 22 until Oct. 23.
The province's announcement on Aug. 19 was met with a strong rebuke from the Nations a day later, leading to Friday's two-hour blockade.
The protest, situated at the intersection of Mount Currie's Main Street, the Pemberton Portage Road and the Lillooet Lake Road blocked traffic moving between Pemberton, unincorporated communities like Birken and Darcy and, naturally, Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Roughly 100 people gathered in support.
Kúkwpi7 Skalulmecw Political Chief Dean Nelson explained the province left Lil'wat and N'Quatqua with no other choice, after refusing to accommodate the Nations' longer reconnection period.
"Time and time again, we have to do these things," he told the assembled protesters. "We have to remind the general public that this is going on—the untruthfulness of the government comes out as partnership. It comes out as collaboration, but it's not. It's dictation.
"So, I'm happy to be here sharing this time with all of you and I thank those that are very patient with us, that are understanding of what we're trying to do here."
Parked cars blocked off the Pemberton Portage Road and Lillooet Lake Road, just after the turns into the Lil'wat Chevron and convenience store. Officers from the Stlʼatlʼimx Tribal Police Service were on hand to provide security. And while a few drivers exited their cars, no serious arguments or incidents took place. Some asked questions of the protesters, others just watched the proceedings quietly.
Officials from the Lil'wat Nation, N'Quatqua and the St'át'imc Chiefs Council were on-hand to discuss the breakdown of talks with the province. They gave the floor to spiritual leaders from the area around 10:50 a.m., who were followed by dancing and drumming from those assembled.
Lhpatq Maxine Bruce explained the longer closure announced by the Nation was partly to help issue a cumulative impact assessment; a study that aims to understand the long-term impacts of overuse on "the land, water, wildlife and spiritual balance of [Pipi7íyekw/Joffre]."
After the protest wrapped at noon, traffic began to flow freely again. About 15 minutes passed before the southbound traffic cleared, with the Stlʼatlʼimx Tribal Police Service managing traffic.
"This demonstration was to raise awareness to the visitors coming to our town right now," explained Lil'wat Title and Rights co-ordinator Xzúmalus Roxanne Joe. "And I guess [a future demonstration] depends on what the reaction of BC Parks is on what we've done today."
Title and Rights director Casey Gonzalez acknowledged visitors to the area might not know of the Nation's stated closure dates. She asked people who are planning to show up outside of the province's announced closure but during the Nation's two-month planned reconnection period consider other parks out of respect.
"I would ask that they be respectful of the Nation's wishes and the Nation's need to reconnect with our territory and peace and time and space."
Check back with Pique for more as this story develops...
