HUNTING -- The rights of Sinixt (Arrow Lakes) Colville Tribal members to hunt in their traditional territory in Canada will be tested in a trial set to start on Monday Sep. 19, in the Provincial Court of British Columbia.

Here's information from the Colville Confederated Tribes:

Rick Desautel, a Sinixt descendant, has been charged by British Columbia officials for hunting without a license and hunting as a non-resident, in violation of the provincial Wildlife Act.   These charges arose out a group hunt in October 2010 and a separate hunting trip with his family in December 2011. The hearing is scheduled to be heard in Nelson, British Columbia, and to last approximately 4-5 weeks. 

This case addresses the question of whether Colville Sinixt members, and Sinixt descendants who live in Canada,  have constitutionally protected hunting rights in the Arrow Lakes area in the same way that other recognized Canadian First Nations members do. The Colville Business Council encourages all Sinixt descendants to attend the court hearing. 

“Our tribal members have been hunting in the Arrow Lakes area since time immemorial and we believe we have a spiritual obligation and right to continue to do so. We have to maintain these traditions for our elders and our children,” CBC Chairman Dr. Michael Marchand said Monday. “We hope a decision in this case will recognize the continued existence of the rights of all Sinixt descendants who have been artificially divided by international borders.”

The trial will take place at the Provincial Court in Nelson located at 320 Ward Street, Nelson, B.C. V1L 1S6.

About the Colville Tribes:

More than 9,365 descendants of 12 aboriginal tribes of Indians are enrolled in the Confederated Tribes of the Colville. The tribes, commonly known by English and French names, are: the Colville, the Nespelem, the San Poil, the Lake, the Palus, the Wenatchi (Wenatchee), the Chelan, the Entiat, the Methow, the southern Okanogan, the Moses Columbia and the Nez Perce of Chief Joseph’s Bands.