Photo courtesy Canadian Press

By CKPG Today with files from Canadian Press

Support for MOU

Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs announce support for MOU

Apr 30, 2020 | 4:37 PM

SMITHERS — A joint statement released today indicates that Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs have given their support to sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached with the federal and B.C. provincial government back on February 29 regarding Wet’suwet’en rights and title.

In a statement released by the Hereditary Chiefs, B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Scott Fraser and federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett, all parties say they “look forward to advancing this important work to implement Wet’suwet’en rights and title as three equal governments.”

All parties also note in the statement that the COVID-19 pandemic has created “extraordinary circumstances throughout Canada.”

“Given the recommendations from the provincial health officer and the First Nations Health Authority to continue physical distancing measures and avoid non-essential travel, we are working out the details for the next steps, including signing the MOU and sharing it publicly.

“The Wet’suwet’en have invited Minister Fraser and Minister Bennett to sign the MOU on May 14, 2020. This time allows all three governments to organize a virtual meeting to sign. It comes just after the 33rd anniversary of the start of the Delgamuukw/Gisday’wa case in Smithers in which the late Gisday’wa opened the trial.”

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The parties also call the MOU “an important step forward in rebuilding our government-to-government relationship based on the affirmation of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.”

The work towards the MOU was sparked by opposition by Hereditary Chiefs to Coastal Gaslink’s pipeline through their traditional territory.

The dispute over the pipeline led to protests across the country that disrupted passenger and freight train service back in February.