B.C., Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs begin new reconciliation process

B.C.says it's starting a new reconciliation process with the Wet'suwet'enhereditarychiefs, who are at the centre of opposition to a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C.

A joint statementThursday said that the government and the Office of the Wet'suwet'en are undertaking a process focused on Wet'suwet'en title, rights, laws and traditional governance throughout their territory.

The statement saidB.C. has appointed Victoria MP and lawyer Murray Rankin as its representative to help guide and design the process, adding that Rankin has an understanding of the Supreme Court's Delgamuukw decision, whichhelped define Indigenous title.

It saidthe province and the Wet'suwet'en are committed to explore a path forward together that seeks to build trust over time and meaningfully advance reconciliation.

The Wet'suwet'enhereditarychiefs oppose Coastal GasLink's plans to build a pipeline from northeastern B.C. to LNG Canada's export terminal in Kitimat.RCMP arrested 14 people at a blockade last month before reaching a deal with the chiefs.

The province saidits commitment to lasting reconciliation is not connected to any specific project, and the new process will build on discussions that have been ongoing since Premier John Horgan and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Scott Fraser visited the territory in August.

"We all recognize that the path forward will involve challenges. It will take a willingness to innovate and take bold steps together,'' the province said.

"This engagement is a historic opportunity to advance Wet'suwet'en self-determination and self-governance, and for the province and Wet'suwet'en Nation to establish a deeper relationship based on respect and recognition of rights.''