Wet’suwet’en elected chiefs renew call for Minister’s resignation, condemn ‘fast tracked negotiation’

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SMITHERS (NEWS 1130) — Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs signed an agreement Thursday with the federal and provincial governments that politicians say will rebuild relationships by recognizing Inidigenous land rights and title.

But the deal has further fractured leadership in the community.

The Wet’suwet’en are governed by both a traditional hereditary chief system and elected band councils.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in March, ending nation-wide protests and blockades in support of the hereditary chiefs opposition to a pipeline running through their traditional territory.

Five elected Wet’suwet’en councils have signed agreements with Coastal Gaslink on the 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline through northern B.C. to Kitimat.

Elected Wet’suwet’en chiefs say they don’t support the memorandum because it was negotiated behind closed doors.

“We have no idea what commitments have been made between the Office of the Wet’suwet’en and these two levels of government. Everything’s been in secret and not transparent,” says Chief Maureen Luggi.

She says the contents of the MOU weren’t released to elected leaders until May 7, and they have not had the time or the opportunity to offer feedback.

“Our rights are collective rights. We’ve asked them to stop and to continue to consult community members, clan members, and make sure that we have a negotiation process that works for us,” she says.

“There are proper processes and the rule of law that haven’t been followed especially with regard to our traditional laws as Wet’suwet’en people.”

Luggi and the other elected chiefs say the hereditary chiefs do not have a mandate to negotiate on their behalf.

“Once we review the MOU and assess it that will give us the opportunity to understand legally what our options might be now that they have signed it,” she says.

A statement released Thursday, signed by Luggi, offers a scathing condemnation of the “fast-tracked negotiation process” and repeats the call for Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett to resign.

051420_Statement from WEL re MOU signing

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