The GidimtB次元官网网址檈n (Wolf and Bear) Clan of the WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n are now taking civil action against Coastal GasLink (CGL), the company currently in the pre-construction phase of an LNG pipeline from Northeast B.C. to Kitimat.
A paralegal assistant at the Vancouver law firm of Chantler & Company confirmed the lawsuit was filed yesterday to the British Columbia Supreme Court and is currently being processed.
A GidimtB次元官网网址檈n press release stated the clan is seeking special damages, aggravated damages, punitive damages, and costs with interest related to the enforcement on Jan. 7, 2019 of a Dec. 14, 2018 B.C. Supreme Court injunction allowing CGL access to the pipeline right-of-way the UnistB次元官网网址檕tB次元官网网址檈n (Dark House) were blocking with an encampment south of Houston.
During that incident, 14 protesters were arrested, but the charges were later dropped.
READ MORE: Crown won't pursue charges against 14 pipeline opponents in northern B.C.
B次元官网网址淎fter the raid on GidimtB次元官网网址檈n territory on January 7th, 2019, the RCMP occupied the Access Point camp at 44.5 km on Morice River FSR and stood by as CGL, Blastpro Construction and Domcor employees and their agents destroyed the private property of the GidimtB次元官网网址檈n Clan,B次元官网网址� the July 22 GidimtB次元官网网址檈n press release stated.
The amount of the lawsuit has not been disclosed, but the press release suggests even if the clan wins, it will not be enough.
B次元官网网址淭hese avenues of compensation do not even begin to approach the cost of the violence of these companies invading traditional WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n territory,B次元官网网址� it read. B次元官网网址淭he spiritual and emotional traumas these companies have inflicted on the WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n are tremendous and grave. These acts of violence must not go unpunished or unrecognized in the courts.B次元官网网址�
Legal fees are being funded, at least in part, by a GoFundMe campaign that was started after the Jan. 7 incident. As of today, it has raised nearly $231,000 of a $350,000 goal.
A spokesperson for CGL said they have not yet been served with the suit and will not comment until such time as that happens.
The encampment and gate on the Morice River road has since been rebuilt, but, according to the Ministry of Transportation and RCMP, the GidimtB次元官网网址檈n are not impeding traffic.
The ministry delivered a letter June 27 requesting the gate be removed because it is an unauthorized structure.
B次元官网网址淭he GidimtB次元官网网址檈n Hereditary Chiefs remain strong in the defence of their lands against oil and gas pipelines,B次元官网网址� yesterdayB次元官网网址檚 press release concluded. B次元官网网址淭he camp has been rebuilt and we are in need of ongoing support. We continue the fight during our seasonal harvesting, and in the face of continued industry invasion.B次元官网网址�
A challenge to the 2018 temporary injunction is still before the courts.
