Ministers optimistic as talks with Wet'suwet'en chiefs continue for third day

Senior government ministers say they remainoptimisticthat talks with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs who oppose a natural gas pipeline will breakan impasse that has sparked widespreadprotests and transport disruptions.

Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett andBritish Columbia Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser say thediscussions are complex and deal with difficult issues, but areprogressing respectfully.

In a news conference Saturday, Bennett said the fact that theconversations are continuing is "a very good sign.''

The talks began Thursday afternoon in northern B.C. and continuedinto late into Friday night, and another update is expected latertoday.

"They're difficult discussions because it's not only about the rights and title that was determined by the Supreme court but it's 150 years of broken promises and a cynicism that is completely understandable," said Bennett from Smithers.

WATCH |Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett address how Canada's history with Indigenous peopleis affecting the talks:

'It's 150 years of broken promises and cynicism'

5 years ago

Duration 0:50

Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett addressed the complexity of nation-to-nation talks in Smithers B.C. over the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

Some Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs are opposed to a natural gaspipeline in their traditional territory, an issue that has spurredsolidarity protests and blockades across the country.

The demonstrations have disrupted passenger and freight trainservice over the last three weeks and police have recently moved todismantle some of the blockades.

Via Rail said Friday that most service will be gradually restoredas of Tuesday, including between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.Solidarity protests and blockades have broken out across thecountry since the RCMP moved into Wet'suwet'en territory in northernBritish Columbia on Feb. 6 to enforce an injunction to stop ablockade erected by those opposed to the Coastal GasLink natural gaspipeline.

The Wet'suwet'en are governed by both a traditional hereditarychief system and elected band councils. A majority of its councilshave approved the pipeline, but some of the Wet'suwet'en hereditarychiefs oppose it running through their traditional territory.

On Saturday, Hereditary Chief Na'Moks, who said he participated in the Friday meeting until about 10 p.m., explained that talks have involved First Nation rights and title, protecting the environment and fighting climate change.

"We want a positive outcome. We wantour lives to go back to normal," he said. "And we'd like to see Canada get back on its feet because currently this whole situationbegan with the invasion of ourterritory and the building of a pipeline and they did not think it would swell to the number of people who are supporting us."

Na'moks said some progress was made on Friday, but reiterated that the issue was complex, and would take time to resolve.

The dispute also encompasses other unsettled land rights andtitle issues, including who has the right to negotiate withgovernments and corporations, the fact that the land is not coveredby a treaty and remains unceded, and a 1997 court case thatrecognized the hereditary chiefs' authority and the exclusive rightof the Wet'suwet'en peoples to the land but did not specify theboundaries.

WATCH | Scott Fraser and Carolyn Bennett say ongoing talks 'a very good sign':

'Work going on until the wee hours and we're all still here'

5 years ago

Duration 0:51

B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser and Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett speak to media on day three of pipeline dispute talks in Smithers B.C.