Gustafsen Lake Standoff - The Sun Dance and Early Occupation

The Sun Dance and Early Occupation

The 1995 Sun Dance was the sixth Sun Dance to be performed at Gustafsen Lake. Sun Dances began at the site after Faith Keeper Percy Rosette and other Shuswap elders had a vision of the site. The site is located at the head of Dog Creek, near 100 Mile House, British Columbia. The specific location of the lands were in District Lot 114, Lillooet Land District, at approximately 51°32′28.8″N 121°43′0.1″W / 51.541333°N 121.716694°W / 51.541333; -121.716694 (Gustafsen Lake)Coordinates: 51°32′28.8″N 121°43′0.1″W / 51.541333°N 121.716694°W / 51.541333; -121.716694 (Gustafsen Lake).

Rosette approached ranch owner Lyle James about conducting the ceremony at Gustafsen Lake. James agreed to allow the ceremony to take place for four years as long as no permanent structures were erected at the site. The Sun Dance continued in 1994 and James discovered that Rosette and his partner Mary Pena had taken up permanent residence at the site sometime late in 1994. At this time, Rosette was also in contact with veteran indigenous rights lawyer and supporter of indigenous sovereignty, Bruce Clark. Clark's January 3, 1995, petition to the Queen was signed by representatives of indigenous religious communities from across Canada including Rosette and Alberta medicine man John Stevens. The petition sought an international inquiry into the subject of the occupation of unceded indigenous territories by the Canadian government. At this point the RCMP operated as mediators between the James Cattle Company and the occupiers.