South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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BN01-14: Kelly Lake Roadblock Comes to an End

Recent History – 2001-2003

August 29, 2002

KELLY LAKE — Although concerns about safety remain outstanding, a group of Metis people voluntarily removed their roadblock Wednesday evening.

“We urge the provincial government to immediately enter into negotiations with us for a permanent resolution to the problem of speeding and overweight vehicles and the condition of the road,” said Kurtis DeSilva, reading a statement from the Kelly Lake Metis Settlement Society and Metis Nation in British Columbia.

“We do this as a gesture of good faith and good will towards the government with whom we are having a dispute on this and many other issues.”

The roadblock was set up to prevent large commercial vehicles from passing along a stretch of road that connects B.C. and Alberta but also runs through the small community south of Dawson Creek. In all, about a half-dozen large commercial vehicles were turned around over the two-and-a-half days it was up.

“Almost all of the drivers, when given an explanation as to why we were taking these steps, appeared to agree with us, and many wished us well,” said DeSilva, who added that two portable toilets were even donated by a local firm.

The roadblock was taken down as an act of good faith, said DeSilva.

“If our negotiations with the government do not bring about a solution, then we may have to reconsider our position, because the safety and health of our residents is the most important thing,” he said.

Safety is not the only concern. It’s also being claimed that the road passes through private property owned by Caroline Campbell, thus giving her the right to close the road. Lawyers are currently researching that issue, DeSilva said.

Meanwhile, road block organizers are calling on oil and gas companies operating in the area to voluntarily re-route all vehicles over five-tons away from the community.

This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.

« BN01-13: Kelly Lake Metis Set Up Roadblock

BN01-15: Kelly Lake First Nation Sets Up Blockade »

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