AGREEMENT TO DISCUSS TITLE DOES NOT ADDRESS ONGOING CONFLICT WITH CGL

As a result of the conflict with Coastal Gaslink (CGL) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) specialized industry task force Community Industry Response Group (CIRG), the provincial and federal governments came to the table to discuss title implementation with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs. The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the Hereditary Chiefs and both levels of government does not directly address CGL or the RCMP on Wet’suwet’en yintah.

Along with thousands of our supporters across Turtle Island, we hoped that these discussions could end the conflict on the ground in Wet’suwet’en territory, although this is a step in the right direction, CGL continues to trespass on Wet’suwet’en territory in direct violation of the eviction order enforced by the Hereditary Chiefs on January 4th, 2020. RCMP and CIRG continue to patrol, surveil and harass people on our territories and threaten them with arrest while CGL continues to work.

We would like to clearly inform our supporters that the conflict with CGL and RCMP continues. We continue to oppose this project and the eviction order provided by the Chiefs still stands. In response, we have asked supporters to continue with safe and social distancing solidarity actions. We appreciate your unwavering support to this struggle and recognize that the outcome of this fight for our lands and water will have far reaching repercussions for every Indigenous nation across so-called ‘canada’ for generations to come.

Further, we are pleased with the innovative ways support has continued, accounting for the health risks of COVID19. We encourage everyone to stay safe and practise physical distancing at this critical time-- keeping our sacred knowledge keepers, language speakers, and vulnerable populations safe.

Efforts have included:
* Virtual rallies and petitions to investors of CGL and LNG Canada
* Film screenings and discussions
* Weekly virtual info sessions
* Lobbying governments (Bulkley Valley Regional District and Municipalities) to address RCMP and CGL contribution to the spread of COVID 19 in our communities.

The details of Wet’suwet’en title discussions are not public, however, we can expect the success or failure of the ratification process to be announced by the nation within the next few months. Until then, we continue to oppose this project and demand that CGL and RCMP get out and stay out of Wet’suwet’en yintah.

Gidimt’en Check-point