The one-lane road block of the Sexqeltq铆n Bridge in Chase leading to the Adams Lake band ended on Thursday, April 13, but not before an explanation was provided outlining the reasons.

Former Adams Lake band chief Nelson Leon spoke to the Observer about the 香蕉视频直播渇riendly protest香蕉视频直播� that began Tuesday morning, explaining ongoing internal issues and politics have been creating a divide between band members in the community.

香蕉视频直播淎s a community, we are a family of families.香蕉视频直播�

Last week, band administration issued a news release regarding the road block.

It stated: 香蕉视频直播淥rganizers wished to voice their concerns regarding RCMP relations and internal political issues within the Adams Lake Indian Band香蕉视频直播� The protest is peaceful and Adams Lake Indian Band is closely monitoring.香蕉视频直播�

Leon said, as a former chief, he has received a few calls to help find a solution, 香蕉视频直播渢o put to rest the tension and animosity that is starting to increase.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚 feel a heartfelt obligation to the people who still call, to initiate a greater awareness to our leaders and to our membership of the outstanding issues and, more importantly, to offer up some solutions for reconciliation.香蕉视频直播�

He noted it香蕉视频直播檚 not an easy problem.

香蕉视频直播淚t will take a number of community discussions but the ball has to start somewhere香蕉视频直播� I think it香蕉视频直播檚 resolvable with communication and commitment both from the membership and the leadership.香蕉视频直播�

Leon hopes to hold a meeting to initiate a mechanism to start addressing outstanding issues. While the community is looking internally, it is distracted from its focus on the land, he says.

香蕉视频直播淎 part of getting back to the key issues of Secwepemc title requires us to work together. And that香蕉视频直播檚 my overall goal. To bring us back to working together. To deal with issues in a productive way and a respectful way and, more important, find the time to look to the land.香蕉视频直播�

He notes that issues on land and water will negatively impact people香蕉视频直播檚 futures, so must be addressed with a united front.

Leon said his purpose is not to slam the current chief Paul Michel or anyone else.

香蕉视频直播淗e stepped into the office with a lot of already outstanding issues that need to be addressed. His ability to prioritize and to demonstrate leadership is in itself a challenge. Having past experience, I know how hard it can be.香蕉视频直播�

Leon said it香蕉视频直播檚 not about polarization.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 not on one side or another. I香蕉视频直播檓 on the side of the community that doesn香蕉视频直播檛 feel safe anymore, that doesn香蕉视频直播檛 feel like there香蕉视频直播檚 somebody on the other end of the phone.香蕉视频直播�

The band has been struggling with internal governance for several months after three council members were removed from office, reinstated while they appealed the removal process and, in February, removed from office once again when their appeal through the courts was dismissed. A March 6 letter on the band香蕉视频直播檚 website states the three councillors were reinstated again pending another appeal, expected to take place in May. Late last year former Chief Robin Billy resigned and Chief Paul Michel was elected.

Leon said he doesn香蕉视频直播檛 feel upset by the application of the band香蕉视频直播檚 election laws.

香蕉视频直播淲hat香蕉视频直播檚 upsetting is the level of distraction from key issues that affect our future. Because it is a distraction.香蕉视频直播�

He notes when government changes, there香蕉视频直播檚 a transitionary period and then a productive period. 香蕉视频直播淎nd we haven香蕉视频直播檛 even got through the transitionary period.香蕉视频直播�

The 香蕉视频直播渇riendly protest,香蕉视频直播� he said, is 香蕉视频直播渘ot meant to shame, blame or create further division but rather to create a greater awareness to the membership, to the leadership, the necessity to resolve香蕉视频直播� that we are one people.香蕉视频直播�

Regarding RCMP relations, Cpl. Scott Linklater with the Chase RCMP remarked: 香蕉视频直播淲e are working with chief and council to work on improving community relations. We have a good relationship with chief and council and band members but there are always ways to improve. As for specific incidents or issues, we香蕉视频直播檙e not aware of any.香蕉视频直播�