Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, whose fight against the planned Coastal GasLink pipeline spurred blockades across the country, have reached a tentative deal with federal and provincial authorities, it was reported 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, released a joint statement Sunday saying they had had “frank and substantive discussion” over three days, focusing on on issues surrounding Wet’suwet’en rights and title.
The Coastal GasLInk pipeline had received federal and provincial permits, and had also secured approval from elected Wet’suwet’en leaders. Hereditary chiefs, however, continued to oppose the project, a fight that has inspired protests in solidarity elsewhere in Canada.
“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 statement said.
“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."
In a statement on Sunday, Coastal GasLink president David Pfeiffer said the company “appreciates the dialogue that has occurred over the past several days and the fact that significant progress has been made to address the concerns of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs.
“Coastal GasLink would like to express our thanks to the Hereditary Chiefs, Minister Carolyn Bennett, Minister Scott Fraser and liaison Nathan Cullen for their time and effort in advancing these discussions.
“Coastal GasLink appreciates that a path has been identified to address significant issues of Aboriginal Title and Rights of the Wet’suwet’en people while recognizing that Coastal GasLink is fully permitted and remains on track for a 2023 in-service date.”
Debbie Pierre, executive director of the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, said in a statement that reaching the proposed agreement over rights and title was "a momentous moment."
"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.”
