Smithers/Victoria (with files from CBC/Huffington Post/MSN) – It’s not a done deal, yet.
But it is progress.
While Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and senior government ministers have said publicly that they have reached a proposed arrangement to acknowledge land title rights established more than 20 years ago in a Supreme Court decision, there is more work to do.
Of note, they say they remain opposed to the Coastal GasLink pipeline which is planned to go through their territory. The blockade followed by a serious RCMP presence has not made the situation any easier to decompress.
On Sunday, Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Woos, Scott Fraser, B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, have issued the following statement:
“Over the past three days, we have had frank and substantive discussions, guided by Wiggus (respect), on issues around Wet’suwet’en rights and title.
“These talks focused on two separate topics – the recognition of Wet’suwet’en rights and title throughout the Yintah (territory) and the issues arising out of the Coastal GasLink (CGL) project. The topics were discussed separately.
“With respect to rights and title, the parties focused intensely on commitments to an expedited process to implement Wet’suwet’en rights and title. The result of these discussions was a draft arrangement that will be reviewed by the Wet’suwet’en clan members through Wet’suwet’en governance protocols for ratification.
“If ratified, Minister Fraser and Minister Bennett have agreed to return to Wet’suwet’en territory to sign. If ratified, the parties agreed to implement title on an expedited basis, to co-ordinate how we work together.
“This arrangement for the Wet’suwet’en will breathe life into the Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa decision so that future generations do not have to face conflicts like the one they face today. As the late chief Wah tah Kwets (Pat Namox) said in the Delgamuukw case, ‘It is up to us to create a new memory in the minds of our children.’
“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.”
Debbie Pierre, executive director, Office of the Wet’suwet’en, also 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.”
