Wet’suwet’en chiefs, ministers reach proposed agreement in pipeline dispute

Mar 1, 2020 | 2:15 PM

A Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief and senior government ministers say they have reached a proposed arrangement in a pipeline dispute that has prompted solidarity protests across Canada in recent weeks.

The statement was made following three days of meetings in Smithers B.C.

Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and British Columbia Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser would not give details on the proposal, saying it first has to be reviewed by the Wet’suwet’en people.

Fraser says that while the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline at the heart of the dispute is already approved and underway, the talks have helped develop a protocol to deal with such projects in the future.

Chief Woos, one of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders, says the proposal represents an important milestone for everyone involved.

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But he says the hereditary chiefs remain opposed to the pipeline in their traditional territory.

The dispute has spurred solidarity protests that have disrupted passenger and freight train service over the last three weeks. Police recently moved to dismantle some of the blockades.

“On the Coastal GasLink project, the parties engaged in direct discussions and explored means to come to a resolution. The Province agreed to provide further information on the project. All parties at the table recognize that the differences relating to the CGL project remain,” said Fraser and Bennett in a joint statement.

Debbie Pierre, executive director, Office of the Wet’suwet’en, commented on the proposed rights and title arrangement:

“This is a momentous moment. The Dini ze and Ts’ake’ze of our past left this world with no certainty and pain. Today our Dini ze and Ts’ake’ze have carried their words forward in principle. It is time now that all Wet’suwet’en unite to build success for all. I encourage all to look past the fear of success and embrace the change that our forefathers saw for us.”

(The Canadian Press)

by The Canadian Press

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