Indian Siege Ends Peacefully

100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. - After more than a month of angry words and shootings, a standoff between the Mounties and armed native traditionalists ended yesterday.

The 12 holdouts from the Gustafsen Lake encampment were in jail facing charges after being escorted into custody by mediators from the Shuswap First Nation, who were instrumental in brokering the peaceful climax.

Shuttled by helicopter to 100 Mile House from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police base near the squatters' camp, the 12 trudged in handcuffs to waiting police cars amid cheers and raised clenched fists from supporters lining the airport access road.

Leaders Percy Rosette and William Ignace, who once said he'd leave the camp only in a body bag, looked tired, but younger holdouts smiled defiantly.

Five others who left last week have been charged with trespassing and obstruction for occupying the private ranch property they claim is sacred aboriginal land.

More serious charges may be filed after the RCMP finishes investigating several shooting incidents during the 30-day standoff.