Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs agree to talks with B.C. government over pipeline blockade
Credit to Author: David Carrigg| Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:12:14 +0000
Eight hereditary chiefs from the Office of the Wet’suwet’en have agreed to formal talks with Premier John Horgan’s “liaison” in the Coastal GasLink pipeline crisis.
In a prepared statement from the office, the eight chiefs said “The Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs have agreed to enter a discussion with the Province of British Columbia, for a period of seven days, in an effort to de-escalate the ongoing conflict surrounding the Coastal GasLink project.”
The chiefs referred to the talks as “Wiggus,” a Wet’suwet’en word for respect.
“The Hereditary chiefs maintain their commitment to peace and will pursue all avenues available to achieve a peaceful resolution,” the statement read.
In another prepared statement, Horgan said “We welcome today’s announcement by the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs that they will join the Province of B.C. at a Wiggus/Respect Table.
“This Wiggus/Respect Table is an opportunity for all parties to work in good faith towards de-escalation, and we view this announcement as a positive sign that all involved are determined to find a peaceful resolution.”
On Monday, Horgan appointed Nathan Cullen — a former federal NDP MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley — to act as his liaison in the mounting conflict between Coastal GasLink and the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.
A spokesperson for Horgan told Postmedia News on Thursday that Cullen would be a key actor in the talks, but B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser would also be involved.
He said the “logistics” for the meetings were being worked out, but would likely commence within “a matter of days.”
Thursday’s announcement came the same day that the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs called for a public investigation into the way the RCMP is controlling access along the Morice West Forest Service Road — south of Houston — that leads to a Coastal GasLink pipeline work camp.
Hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation are attempting to block the natural gas pipeline project from being built in their territory.
The pipeline, linking Dawson Creek and Kitimat, will provide fuel for the $40 billion Canada LNG plant under development in Kitimat. The builder, Coastal GasLink, has struck deals with elected councils of 20 First Nations along the route, including the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. However, elected councils are created under the Indian Act and have governance over reserve lands, not the broader territorial lands.
The B.C. Supreme Court granted Coastal GasLink an injunction on Dec. 31, calling for the removal of any obstructions including cabins and gates on any roads, bridges or work sites the company has been authorized to use.
It also gives authorization to the RCMP to arrest and remove anyone police have “reasonable or probable grounds” to believe has knowledge of the order and is contravening it.
RCMP spokeswoman Janelle Shoihet said in an email that “The checkpoint was established to address safety concerns relating to the hazards including fallen trees, gasoline caches and tire piles that were intentionally placed along the roadway.”
So far there have been no arrests.
Coastal GasLink president David Pfeiffer told a media briefing that the standoff has so far not affected the construction schedule and the pipeline remains on track for completion in 2023.
However he cautioned: “We know that time is getting short according to our schedule and we will start seeing impacts at some point.”
with files from Canadian Press and Vaughn Palmer