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 害羞草研究所渇riendly protest害羞草研究所� that began Tuesday morning, explaining ongoing internal issues and politics have been creating a divide between band members in the community.

害羞草研究所淎s a community, we are a family of families.害羞草研究所�

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

It stated: 害羞草研究所淥rganizers wished to voice their concerns regarding RCMP relations and internal political issues within the Adams Lake Indian Band害羞草研究所� The protest is peaceful and Adams Lake Indian Band is closely monitoring.害羞草研究所�

Leon said, as a former chief, he has received a few calls to help find a solution, 害羞草研究所渢o put to rest the tension and animosity that is starting to increase.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚 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.害羞草研究所�

He noted it害羞草研究所檚 not an easy problem.

害羞草研究所淚t will take a number of community discussions but the ball has to start somewhere害羞草研究所� I think it害羞草研究所檚 resolvable with communication and commitment both from the membership and the leadership.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淎 part of getting back to the key issues of Secwepemc title requires us to work together. And that害羞草研究所檚 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.害羞草研究所�

He notes that issues on land and water will negatively impact people害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淗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.害羞草研究所�

Leon said it害羞草研究所檚 not about polarization.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 not on one side or another. I害羞草研究所檓 on the side of the community that doesn害羞草研究所檛 feel safe anymore, that doesn害羞草研究所檛 feel like there害羞草研究所檚 somebody on the other end of the phone.害羞草研究所�

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害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檛 feel upset by the application of the band害羞草研究所檚 election laws.

害羞草研究所淲hat害羞草研究所檚 upsetting is the level of distraction from key issues that affect our future. Because it is a distraction.害羞草研究所�

He notes when government changes, there害羞草研究所檚 a transitionary period and then a productive period. 害羞草研究所淎nd we haven害羞草研究所檛 even got through the transitionary period.害羞草研究所�

The 害羞草研究所渇riendly protest,害羞草研究所� he said, is 害羞草研究所渘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害羞草研究所� that we are one people.害羞草研究所�

Regarding RCMP relations, Cpl. Scott Linklater with the Chase RCMP remarked: 害羞草研究所淲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害羞草研究所檙e not aware of any.害羞草研究所�