Kwantlen’s Band Council condemns political violence
To the Kwantlen People, the RCMP, and Indigenous Services Canada,
Today a complaint was filed with the police by a reserve resident against Scott Gabriel, the younger sibling of former chief Marilyn Gabriel. This relates to an incident 2 days ago in which Scott Gabriel, blocked a roadway, and his partner Tracey Kelly entered a band member’s car without permission while brandishing a stick. Inside the car was an elder and a 2 year old child.
This council calls on the RCMP to investigate this allegation, and to do so without involvement from the Band Office.
This is not the first incident we have heard of that involved threats, and intimidation (both in person and online).
A few recent reports in addition to the one described above:
A person was walking down Gabriel Lane with a child, when a vehicle driven by a supporter of the former chief accelerated towards them at high speed, before swerving off.
Two elders were cornered at the cultural centre and shouted at about their political activity by a supporter of the former chief.
One of the former chief’s supporters drove up and down the reserve dressed in camouflage gear, brandishing a rifle (pictured above).
A facebook post by a band employee threatening to “shit kick” people.
Whether a threat is followed up with action or not, these are all examples of what many would consider to be ‘political violence’. And all come from one side - from supporters of Marilyn Gabriel. To be clear: we have no evidence that these are being initiated or supported by the former Chief.
It appears that some of her supporters are taking it upon themselves to intimidate elders, endanger children, and openly brandish firearms near supporters of Kwantlen’s Band Council. Marilyn disrespects our nation’s laws, so these people are acting as if their support of her entitles them to do the same.
This Band Council will make this one point very clear: any person, from any side, who initiates political violence, or makes threats of it, will face consequences, through the police, courts, and through the tools of Band administration. Those who mis-use the band gates to intimidate band members, or deprive them of resources are included in this group.
We believe in free speech - which is a commandment in our culture. That includes the freedom to stridently disagree over our nation’s governance, and to vocally oppose its leadership - including - if you so choose - to oppose the members of this council. But no conception of free speech in the world includes a right to threaten people with physical violence.
It is the right of every person to feel safe in their homes, and to be able to go to and from those homes to shops, to band offices, and community facilities without being intimidated. It is the right of every person to speak their mind on the nation’s affairs without fear of violence.
Political violence has no place in this nation, and the consensus view on reserve appears to be that we’re at risk of violence escalating.
To prevent a worsening of this situation, we call upon Indigenous Services Canada to more actively participate in the resolution of this governance crisis - one largely caused by them.
- Kwantlen Band Council