Hereditary leaders of the WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n First Nation have reached a tentative deal with RCMP, quelling some fears of escalation after police made several arrests at nearby checkpoint earlier this week.
The chiefs say members will abide by a court injunction granting the Coastal GasLink pipeline company access to a bridge that had been blocked, if RCMP agree to leave intact the nearby UnistB次元官网网址檕tB次元官网网址檈n healing camp in northern British Columbia.
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They plan to meet with RCMP again Thursday to discuss details such as retaining a gate that residents and supporters of the camp say is vital to their safety.
Chief NaB次元官网网址橫oks told residents, supporters and media gathered at the camp Wednesday that the decision has nothing to do with the pipeline company and everything to do with ensuring the safety of residents at the camp.
B次元官网网址淲e want them to be able to sleep at night, we want them to go to bed knowing they will not be disturbed,B次元官网网址� he said.
Residents and supporters say the healing camp was established in 2010 and is an important place for people to heal and connect with the land. Some left the dining hall of the three story building in tears or embracing one another.
Brenda Michell, whose daughter Freda Huson was named in the injunction and lives at the camp, says it has been a very difficult few days.
B次元官网网址淲e tried to keep positive but the unknown out there was scary,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 know if they were going to come storm this gate next.B次元官网网址�
She pointed to sheets that had been draped across the windows of the dining hall, where moose stew, salmon and boar are served to residents.
B次元官网网址淭his is our home, we should feel safe in our home,B次元官网网址� she said.
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On Monday, 14 people were arrested after the Mounties took apart a different gate that blocked access to an area where Coastal GasLink wants to build a natural gas pipeline.
The Coastal GasLink pipeline would run through the WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n territory to Kitimat, B.C., where LNG Canada is building a $40-billion export facility.
TransCanada Corp. says it has signed agreements with the elected councils of all 20 First Nations along the path, including the WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n.
Premier John Horgan said Wednesday when plans for the LNG export facility were announced in October the B.C. government concluded all the conditions for the project to proceed had been met. He said the government was mindful of the opposition at the UnistB次元官网网址檕tB次元官网网址檈n camp but has been in dialogue with the hereditary chiefs.
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