The Palestinian flag that was hung on the rockface of the Stawamus Chief since about Canada Day is now down.
The flag was affixed to the Witch, known as Kálklilh in the S岣祑x瘫wú7mesh (Squamish) language, and within the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.
Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams鈥�, spokesperson and councillor for S岣祑x瘫wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), asked that the flag be removed.
“We have recently become aware that a flag has been placed upon Siy’ám’ Smánit (The Stawamus Chief)," Wilson said in a statement sent via email on Sunday, while the flag was still up.
"Siy’ám’ Smánit is a sacred site within our territory, and placing or hanging anything upon it is disrespectful," Williams said.
"As the area in which it is located is extremely steep and can only be reached by experienced climbers, we have asked the Squamish Access Society (SAS) if a climber with technical experience is available to assist in removing it. This is in no way a political statement but instead reflects the significance of Siy’ám’ Smánit to the S岣祑x瘫wú7mesh People, and the importance of respecting it.”
The Squamish Access Society posted a request on its social media for the person(s) responsible to remove the flag.
"We would like to ask those responsible to please remove the flag immediately," the post reads.
"We are guests upon these lands, and when enjoying the beauty of Siy’ám’ Smánit, please treat the mountain with the respect it deserves and leave nothing behind."
Debate about the flag has raged online for days in Squamish, with someone offering $200 to anyone who would take it down.
The flag was removed late on July 6.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Parks told The 小蓝视频 it was aware of the flag, adding that Section 13 of the Park Act prohibits a person from erecting a structure without permission, and the flag in question was installed without permission.
The spokesperson also referred to Section 13 A of the act, which reads, "a person must not construct, install, erect or place any structure, improvement or work of any nature in a park, conservancy or recreation area, except under the authority of a valid and subsisting park use permit or resource use permit."
Now that the flag has been removed, no further action will be taken by 小蓝视频 Parks, according to its spokesperson.
"The flag has been removed. 小蓝视频 Parks will not be pursuing enforcement actions.”
