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The Need to Oppose Colonial Injustice Coastal GasLink Bulldozes Unist'ot'en TraplineThe Wet'suwet'en land defenders at the Unist'ot'en Camp report that on January 22, "Coastal GasLink (CGL) contractors drove a bulldozer through the heart of one of our traplines. Trapping is part of our healing centre programming; we return to the land to heal from the trauma of colonization. Damage to the trapline represents a direct attack on our healing centre and the wellness of our Wet'suwet'en people. "We have notified CGL workers that it is a violation of the Wildlife Act to interfere with lawful trapping. CGL claimed to be conducting preliminary survey work and did not send advance notice of bulldozing or clearing. We were notified in June that parts of our trapline may be affected in August 2020. Two traps along the trapline are unaccounted for and may have been destroyed. CGL continues to disrespect our yintah [the hereditary rights to their traditional territory -- TML Ed. Note], our culture, our people, and our traditional practices." The Canadian Press (CP) reports CGL saying on its website that it has stopped work on the project "because traps had been placed inside construction boundaries and people were entering the site, raising safety concerns." It claims its work in the area has been fully approved by elected chiefs and permitted, which goes against the agreement reached with the hereditary chiefs to carry out surveying. CP reports that CGL reminded the public that unauthorized access to an active construction site where heavy equipment is being used can be dangerous and that it is working with the RCMP to address the issue.
(January 23, 2019)
This article was published in Article Link:   Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca |
