Image credit: Facebook/Splatsin

By Liam Verster-Vernon Matters

Bridge Blockade

Bridge over Sicamous Narrows blockaded as First Nation calls for involvement in project

May 13, 2025 | 6:52 AM

SICAMOUS, B.C. — The R.W. Bruhn Bridge in Sicamous is closed due to a peaceful protest blocking the road.

Splatsin and Splatsin Development Corporation (SDC) implemented a peaceful blockage of the bridge by parking dump trucks at either end of the Sicamous Narrows crossing around 10:00 a.m. Monday (May 12).

The blockade was initiated as Splatsin and the SDC said Aecon Group Inc. and the Emil Anderson Group, who were contracted by the province to do the work, was excluding Indigenous contractors and workers.

The protestors said the partnership had only offered “empty assurances and verbal commitments” that First Nations would be involved in the Bruhn Bridge Replacement Project, which were not ultimately ignored.

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“This was presented as a two-year opportunity. Instead, they’ve given us just three months of meaningful work,” Grahame Go, CEO of SDC, said in a release.

“We entered this agreement in good faith. What we’ve experienced instead is corporate opportunism—exploiting our partnership for their benefit and then sidelining us to cut costs. This isn’t reconciliation; it’s exploitation.”

The release went on to say that the conduct on the project shows the developers were “gaming the system for profit while Indigenous businesses are sidelined,” adding it breaches several agreements including removing emergency medical services without consultation, a broken agreement on trucking services, last minute schedule changes, labour disrespect, and fuel contract violations.

“Our crews show up prepared, professional, and ready to contribute—but instead, they’re being excluded,” Jeromy Schuetze, Senior Project Manager of Yucwmenlúcwu’s Civil Construction Division, said in the release.

“In some cases, one out of every three workers is told they’re not needed, while the others remain on site. These aren’t simple scheduling issues — they’re systemic barriers being used to push us out, all while The Partnership claims to be honouring reconciliation. It’s a clear example of profit being placed ahead of people.

“Even with all this, our crews have remained patient and committed. But the constant last-minute changes and lack of transparency are taking a toll. They erode trust and create uncertainty around job security. It’s not just frustrating—it’s unjust.”

The protestors said the blockade would remain in place until a renewed and signed commitment has been received from both the contracts and the province, stating verbal assurances would no longer be acceptable.

“Our demand is simple,” Go said. “Clear, documented accountability that respects the role of SDC– Yucwmenlúcwu and ensures full and fair participation in this project—now and moving forward.”

Splatsin and the SDC acknowledged the blockade may disrupt commuters but noted traffic could continue to flow through the area via Highways 97A and 97B.

Editor’s note: as of publication, DriveBC says Highway 1 at the R.W. Bruhn Bridge in Sicamous remains closed. It lists the blockade as a “special event” on its map online. Another update is due at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday (May 13). CFJC Today has contacted B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit for more information.