Photo by Vince Fedoroff
MAKING A STATEMENT – About 20 people attended a rally for the Wet’suwet’en people at noon Monday outside the Second Avenue offi ces of Yukon MP Larry Bagnell. Inset left Lenore Morris, Roberta Nakoochee.
Take stand on Indigenous dispute, MP urged
Yukoners are asking Larry Bagnell, the territory’s MP, to take a firm stance on the growing dispute on Wet’suwet’en territory in northern B.C.
Yukoners are asking Larry Bagnell, the territory’s MP, to take a firm stance on the growing dispute on Wet’suwet’en territory in northern B.C.
About 20 people gathered outside Bagnell’s Whitehorse offices in swirling snow at noon Monday, the International Day of Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en.
The demonstration was a follow-up to a letter the group delivered to his office last Friday, asking Bagnell to comment on the issue and provide his stance.
The letter was signed by attendants and supporters.
Roberta Nakoochee said they spoke with Bagnell last Friday.
“I was disappointed in how little he knew about the issue; there was absolutely no defined action he would take,” Nakoochee said Monday.
“I want to know what his stance is, not just as an MP, but as an individual,” Nakoochee added.
Attendees were unable to hear from Bagnell Monday, as the MP is out of the office this week.
The protesters used the time to share the latest updates about Wet’suwet’en and plan further action, sharing Bagnell’s constituency contact information so that they might reach out to him individually.
One attendee said she is concerned that a rising level of violence will result from the protests.
“We are asking every protest to be peaceful and respectful … the youth are doing that, they’re doing sit-ins, they’re being respectful, but it’s not going to continue that way,” the attendee said.
It was suggested that the dispute at Wet’suwet’en sets a dangerous precedent for First Nations all over the country.
“It could happen here in the Yukon, we have territory that belongs to the First Nations … but if the federal government wants something to go through, it will,” an attendee said.
Lenore Morris, the Yukon’s federal Green Party candidate in the October 2019 election and a lawyer, noted that the Wet’suwet’en dispute is a complicated legal issue.
On Wet’suwet’en territory, a blockade has formed against the Coastal GasLink pipeline, a $6.6-billion, 670-kilometre pipeline that would transport natural gas across northern B.C.
Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with the democratically elected council of the 20 First Nations along the route, including Wet’suwet’en.
The hereditary chiefs, who are the chiefs not serving on elected band councils, say they didn’t consent to construction on their traditional territory.
Moreover, the Wet’suwet’en Nation never surrendered its Aboriginal title to the land.
“I support the hereditary chiefs in terms of what they’re trying to do,” Morris said. “I have respect for the law, but I don’t think they get it right 100 per cent of the time.”
Tensions at the blockade have escalated since the B.C. Supreme Court granted Coastal GasLink an expanded injunction against the Wet’suwet’en Nation members on Dec. 31.
In the past week, RCMP have begun aggressively enforcing the injunction.
More than 20 arrests have been made, spurring solidarity protests across the country, most recently on Monday’s International Day of Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en.
Several local Facebook groups have formed in support of the Wet’suwet’en Nation.
Some Yukoners plan to travel to the blockade this weekend, and are asking for donations.
Anyone who is able to donate goods or funds is asked to contact Chad Dominique via Facebook.
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Comments (48)
Up 2 Down 12
Antiani on Feb 17, 2020 at 2:07 pm
Obi an ka nobi, as a matter of fact, u tend to be one of the worse, most critical of anything native.
I have no desire or ability to determine the internal politics of this FN and neither do you. So what does your comment accomplish?
There have been dozens of protests by all kinds of groups over the last couple of years and yet no comments from you, just on the native protests?
Up 25 Down 4
Why not just... on Feb 17, 2020 at 11:30 am
Seems to me, there are two somewhat simple solutions.
1: Do exactly as they say they want and get the R.C.M.P. out of there. Completely.. Never to go back. Let the pipe liners trying to get to work and the people blocking the road settle their differences on their own.. Obviously not ideal....
2: Coastal gas link can invest the probably several million dollars to re-engineer and find a new route that bypasses Wet'suwet'en land altogether and leave it up to the hereditary chiefs to explain to their people and the elected council that there will no longer be any money, jobs, or any of the massive economic benefits coming to their band or their people anymore.
They seem determined to make their bed, let them lie in it.
Up 28 Down 5
Obi on Feb 16, 2020 at 10:23 pm
Antiani
Same old protests?
BS. This isn’t anti native, it’s anti Bull...t.
These protesters should be thankful this isn’t France. If it was they would be pepper sprayed until there noses bled. But not in Canada. We feel sorry for these obstructionists.
Typical Canadians, being too nice as usual, and these wankers know that!
Fact, of 13 Hereditary Chiefs, 8 want the natural gas pipeline built for their people..
5 don’t. If only one didn’t, would we be putting up with this crap?
In a Democracy , the majority rules. Does anybody with half a brain, think that because of your bloodline you have the right to determine the well being of your people?
If you are no longer living one hundred years out of the Stone Age, please join the real world....
Up 18 Down 3
North_of_60 on Feb 16, 2020 at 6:00 pm
The Hereditary Chiefs’ Office™ is a foreign funded un-elected NGO that answers to nobody. “The hereditary chiefs’ office, they don’t speak for the whole clan.”
https://youtu.be/GrIl-sLoeIY
Up 6 Down 6
Salt on Feb 16, 2020 at 12:07 am
Alan
Sounds like the secret to Bhutan’s success is that they primarily share the same religion. Prior to the PC bizarro world take over, a lack of cultural diversity was recognized as an obvious pillar of social stability. Eventually we will get back there. Reality doesn’t hold truck with stupidity for very long.
Up 9 Down 38
Antiani on Feb 15, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Most of these comments have no credibility, it is the same old, same old negative, anti native comments you hear on anything to do with First Nations. If one would look closely at the demonstrations, you will see this is a Canadian protest more then a First Nation protest. Open your eyes and quit seeing the world through rose (white) colored glasses.
Up 46 Down 9
Obi on Feb 15, 2020 at 10:11 am
Dialogue???
Our fearless drama teacher Trudeau, should have learned something from his father, when it comes to handling a crisis. Pierre Trudeau said “Just watch me”.
Justin says “Can’t we all just get along”.
What a spineless way to confront a crisis, when major basic laws have been broken all over Canada by radical terrorists hiding behind the veil of helping our poor mistreated indigenous people.
The simple realization is there are two justice systems in Canada. And our police forces are the ones that decides which laws they are going to enforce. What a crock!
A law is a law is a law... If the people that are trained and are told to enforce our laws don’t, then they should forfeit the salaries and benefits they are being given. In the real world, if you don’t work you don’t get paid.
When one percent of our population are exempted from consequences of breaking the laws, then the other 99 percent should tell our government and all police forces to take a hike the next time an average Canadian is accused of a crime.
I’m not a lawyer but I think a major precedent is being set, that any good lawyer could litigate for you, and find you innocent because of our present two tiered system of justice.
Up 48 Down 7
Embarrassment to our country on Feb 15, 2020 at 8:28 am
So if I laid down in the middle of a major artery in Vancouver you can be rest assured that I would most likely be arrested. There are plenty other ways to get your point across instead of being even more of an embarrassment to our country. What a bunch of bs. Grow the f@#$ up!
Up 12 Down 8
Alan on Feb 14, 2020 at 7:55 pm
Anie, you have seen only what you want to see in Bhutan, yes a constitutional monarchy, but the King is actively encouraged to participate in the political body. That is not the same as ours where the queen must stay out of politics. Second there is the community of Buddhists in a Buddhist country and the King himself is a Buddhist. And the Buddhist community uphold the spiritual values of the entire nation. So you have the traditional hereditary rulers, Buddhist spiritual leadership and the monarchy holding together the unified parliament, this is not the Western model of Democracy. They have created a safety barrier by compromising with their own form of Democracy because of what happened to Tibet, definitely not a democracy, but a healthy vibrant spiritual culture destroyed Chinese 'political ambitions to 'liberate' Tibet from its Theocracy.
Up 20 Down 3
Miles Epanhauser on Feb 14, 2020 at 5:55 pm
I would like to see a readers digest version of the court ruling and an objective summary of the female hereditary chiefs who were dismissed as well as a summary of the view of the hereditary chiefs opposing the pipeline and how many of them are for vrs against it.
This whole thing seems unclear. Our gov and law should not be trespassing on unceded land but why has the court ruled against the hereditary chiefs and why have the hereditary chiefs turfed female hereditary chiefs?
Up 9 Down 25
Alan on Feb 14, 2020 at 4:26 pm
Anie, another example the Kogi Indians of Columbia in the High Sierras, have retained their ancient culture and have never been converted to Christianity. There are the tribal cultures of the Amazon Jungle fighting for their lives and land against a democratically elected Govt. I said about non democratic cultures doing just fine until the missionaries arrive, and behind the missionaries are the democratic governments that want their land and resources. The Queen is the head of state, hereditary leadership, it was the Crown that made contracts with non democratic First Nations, and it was the democratically elected Government that reneged on those agreements. The ruling class whether by birth or cash have not disappeared. Who is calling the shots in America? Corporate giants, billionaires, and the military? There is more to culture than politics, hereditary leadership in indigenous cultures does not mean a leadership without moral values, without a spiritual dimension, without being raised, trained and educated for their role in preserving the well being of the members. All indigenous cultures in America were organized on social patterns laid down by culture heroes, divinely inspired, and it is these values that maintained harmony and cohesion for thousands of years that the hereditary leadership upholds. Prince Charles is more proactive and vocal on protecting nature and the planet than any elected politician in Canada.
Up 23 Down 1
Salt on Feb 14, 2020 at 4:14 pm
Alan
I googled it and Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and elections. All forms of government are premalignant. The best forms acknowledge that and look to restrict it from the outset. The republic form adopted by the United States of America with its constitution and bill of rights has been one of the best attempts to date. Obviously that didn't last though, lol.
Up 24 Down 1
Anie on Feb 14, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Alan, actually I do know about Bhutan and, when I went to school, Bhutan had divested itself of the absolute monarchy and had an elected government. Google is helpful but there are other ways of acquiring knowledge.
Up 1 Down 28
alan on Feb 14, 2020 at 12:02 pm
To Ani, have you never heard of Bhutan? Do you really want the whole list? Google it,
Up 43 Down 3
Anie on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:19 am
Alan said " But there are many cultures living within a traditional framework of Aristocratic hereditary leadership and doing quite well. ". I can't think of a single one so please share some examples. I think that most Canadians would seriously oppose a feudal system based on birth.
Up 59 Down 7
Oya on Feb 14, 2020 at 9:37 am
The protesters have gone too far. They no longer have any of my respect for their cause.
If the PM meets with them now, he is rewarding their illegal behavior. I hope the RCMP arrests them all.
Get your own house in order before screwing up all other Canadian lives, the Canadian economy, etc. When the hereditary chiefs and the elected chief and council are on the same page, THEN and only THEN, should there be public protesting. And it should be peaceful and should follow the rule of law. Injunctions SHOULD mean something!
Up 10 Down 37
Harvey on Feb 14, 2020 at 1:20 am
The direct problem has been declared as Horigan and B.C.'s not Bagnel or Trudeau's as some of the warped are trying to associate. Crybaby losers of the election and probably most other things in life.
Up 34 Down 2
Today’s Tom Sawyer... on Feb 13, 2020 at 11:20 pm
Hello Anie - I think it goes deeper than the need for a new system of government. We need to stop them from engaging in politicking. Why should we listen to someone who is not supported by anywhere near a majority of the people? It is irresponsible and fraudulent to call our current system democratic.
I shudder to think of a definition that would capture the mess we have now. The absolute incongruence between the ideal and the what is... No wonder people are running around emoting and hating based on the presumption of an identity. We have become absolutely dumb!
Perhaps there is corruption in consensus governance but we have plenty of that now. Heck, we have a PM who flouts the law and ethics - repeatedly. Trudeau has essentially abandoned his post while the country implodes in pursuit of his own fame and fortune. He is a dull man and he is a living breathing exemplar of the problem today - Unmitigated self-interest.
We need unity. Liberalism instills disunity. Consensus making is the only way out of this Liberal nightmare.
Up 41 Down 5
Today’s Tom Sawyer... on Feb 13, 2020 at 10:55 pm
Yo Max Mack - You are bang on with your assessment of Trudeau and Silver. Their collective mishandling of Indigenous issues, millennial angst and the advancement of identity politics has been disastrously regressive for “all” Canadians and the interests of Canada more generally.
People with a compassionate bone and a firing neuron or two understand division and disunity are ultimately harmful and that the installation of a regime of identity politics is dangerously close to inciting revolution... But that is the intent... To create a new order. Good luck! I hope they like you in the new world.
Up 5 Down 41
Alan on Feb 13, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Uninformed people have an opinion that Democracy with all its lying and cheating by the moneyed class is the best system for all people, tribes, and nations living on the planet. But there are many cultures living within a traditional framework of Aristocratic hereditary leadership and doing quite well. Until the missionaries arrive with their Christian agenda to subjugate the people to a totalitarian rule of an absolute power living outside the universe.
Up 50 Down 5
drum on Feb 13, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Most taxpayers work and don't have time to be on picket lines. Do they have jobs or are they on welfare?
Up 32 Down 11
Wilf Carter on Feb 13, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Wait until this really gets going - blocking Alaska Highway road to Fort Mac., Northern Ontario etc., Trans Canada so trucks can't get through. Bring the whole country to stand still.
Up 60 Down 8
John on Feb 13, 2020 at 3:17 pm
“The Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and supporters say the unceded territory means their ancient uncodified laws — passed down through oral traditions and history “ I call BS. Making up laws and rules as you go along to suit your purpose. Prove it. There are wet'suwet'luns arguing the same lies and saying hereditary chiefs are making it up as they go along. All this is an opportunity for lost activists to find a purpose. Hey I have an idea, get a job or volunteer at the food bank.
Up 25 Down 2
Anie on Feb 13, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Tom Sawyer, thank you, I think I understand. First past the post is not democratic, I agree. But I haven't read about any other system that would work better. In my opinion, "consensus' types of government would be unwieldy at a national level, and have proven to enable corruption in current models.
Up 60 Down 5
O(bi on Feb 13, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Want to know what happens next?
Trudeau and Horgan are like the Mother we have all seen in the grocery store.
"I said no, if you don't stop it we are going to the car, and going home."
Next aisle, same words.
Next aisle, the kids got a lollipop!
Up 52 Down 4
comen sense on Feb 13, 2020 at 10:23 am
I am looking in the main photo of this article and there is one person I see never worked a day in their life. That is all I will say.
Up 54 Down 11
Eric Blair on Feb 13, 2020 at 9:10 am
More and more it seems the Liberal governments are stimulating anarchy in our nation through their ignorance and mismanagement.
Up 60 Down 9
Max Mack on Feb 13, 2020 at 7:40 am
Morris' words amount to nothing more than weasel words, speaking out of both sides of her mouth at the same time.
Interesting that these protesters have not gone after Bagnell's fellow liberals Silver and Curtis.
Trudeau and Silver are directly responsible for the growing animus by First Nations peoples against "whites", aka "colonizers", by feeding into that FN sense of victimhood, entitlement and power.
Up 11 Down 24
Today’s Tom Sawyer... on Feb 12, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Dear Anie - Thumbs up. I take your question as one of genuine inquiry. The point here is that we cannot sustain the illusion of democracy when any given politician receives less than a majority of the votes.
How can we legitimize a system in which the winning party receives 2nd place in the popular vote and only one third of the votes cast. Then there is the body of eligible voters who do not vote because they do not want to legitimize the shite we have now. So, it is absolutely ironic that people would talk about the disregard for elected officials - They are held in pretty wide contempt and do not have the moral authority to govern in the first place.
We would be much better off with non-partisan representation in a system where every vote counts. And, the electorate should be able to choose their PM through direct voting rather than the party and the riding that the PM is from.
People seem to forget that FN people vote with their feet not a ballot. And it is in this way that democracy should work... Voting with your feet. Because in the end our system is about politicians working for us - Not the other way around.
Up 56 Down 6
JC on Feb 12, 2020 at 8:45 pm
I'm having a small problem here. If the elected Chiefs agreed to the pipeline and the Hereditary chiefs said no and got some of their paid groupies to block highways, then where are the elected Chiefs who agreed to the pipeline? Why didn't they come out in force and kick the HC and his groupies out? Is it a question of who is the most powerful in the FN community?
Up 16 Down 18
Today’s Tom Sawyer... on Feb 12, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Dear PP - Knot: The criminal code is not some mechanistic concretism to be applied indiscriminately to suppress behaviour one finds objectionable.
In many Canadian jurisdictions it is the Crown who must approve the charges. The Yukon is an exception. If you want action write to or visit your MLAs office. Send them emails, send the regular mail, protest outside their offices and their homes if you know where they live.
I have to ask again; how stupid do you have to be to fall for this perennial manipulation?
Protest the people who are responsible for this situation - Any politician but primarily Trudeau! Sending mail to your MP used to be free. Not sure if it still is or not. BUT, let them know you are sick and tired of being pitted against each other and tell them to do their jobs and take ownership of the unrest so that we do not victimize those people who are there to serve and protect.
Hold the parasites accountable! Not the FNs, not the RCMP, and not some other undefinable group such as white, Caucasian what evers... Are you f...ing 3 years old for some deity’s sake? Stop it!
You are playing their game and it is really sad to watch. The system is all backwards. They work for you, they are supposed to serve you, and here you have almost everyone of them convince you otherwise...
Why has someone not charged Trudeau with having abandoned his post? Get back here and do your job!!!!
Up 11 Down 37
Michael hall on Feb 12, 2020 at 4:42 pm
We all know who really calls the shots in Canada .The overseas donors are calling everyone they bought. I'm looking at you Alberta.
Up 50 Down 3
Anie on Feb 12, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Today's Tom Sawyer - I'm really curious about what form of government you would chose to replace elections. Rulers by birth? Plebiscites in every issue? Some other option?
Up 72 Down 16
Obi on Feb 12, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Let's call it as it is.
This stupidity is not about native rights!
The vast majority of the wingnuts protesting, are far left radicals that have a no fossil fuel ever agenda...
These mentally challenged people, that think we won't need fossil fuels to live our lives for the foreseeable future, are living in the La-La land of pixie dust, and unicorn farts.
Up 52 Down 9
Peaceful protest - NOT on Feb 12, 2020 at 2:42 pm
So this is reference to the Criminal Code of Canada, there are much more sections that can be applied, so yes it poses the question why are the RCMP allowing these people to break the law and the ones that know the Law get arrested, tables need to be turned.
The Criminal Code of Canada contains various provisions that limit individuals’ rights. The following is a list of some of the relevant Criminal Code sections that limit certain activities:
Blocking or obstructing a highway (Section 423(1)(g))
Causing a disturbance (Section 175)
Common nuisance (Section 180)
Interfering with transportation facilities (Section 248)
Mischief (Section 430)
Offensive volatile substance (Section 178)
Suppression of Riots (Sections 32, 33,)
Unlawful assemblies and Riots (Section 63,64, 65, 67, 68, 69)
Breach of the peace (Section 31)
Assault (Section 266)
Assault of a police officer (Section 270)
Using a mask or disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence (Section 351(2))
Breach of peace: An arrest for breach of the peace, whether under the Criminal Code or the common law, does not result in a charge. The purpose of an arrest for breach of peace is to end the breach and restore order.
There are other Criminal Code sections that may also apply to protest situations. In addition to the Criminal Code, limitations on activities that may be contemplated in protest situations are also contained in provincial statutes, such as provincial or territorial highway traffic laws, and in municipal by‑laws.
here is the link to read more:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pp/order-ordre-eng.htm?fbclid=IwAR2SevSwggmJWal4fAeDlsOmB6K5AQ8pZfVjihOvcrBVn2Nz9Q3TEnvQ8Co
Up 63 Down 12
Groucho d'North on Feb 12, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Larry won't comment on this until somebody back in Ottawa tells him what to say, and they don't have a clue because they still haven't figured out what it's all about. Between the Hereditary leadership, and the green movement, they have created a huge cesspool of issues that blur together making pontificating politicians targets for speaking when they shouldn't. It's a wall of noise, and more ingredients are being added each day.
As said below, this mess is all about Canada's aboriginal communities struggling with a form of representative government for the FN people. Elected leadership or hereditary - regardless of which they choose, they must honour the decisions of their leadership and learn to live with the outcomes. Demonstrate some responsibility and capacity to live in a democratic society and stop protesting whenever you don't get your way.
Up 64 Down 6
My Opinion on Feb 12, 2020 at 12:01 pm
People will take the law into their own hands if the RCMP are unable to do their job, and that is not good.
Some guys on Vancouver Island were cleaning the garbage blocking the freeway. Who got arrested? That has to stop. Follow the rule of law. Is it legal to pile crap on a highway? I think not. I know I would have been arrested.
Up 78 Down 7
Bruce on Feb 12, 2020 at 10:19 am
There is a community we haven't heard from on this topic. My understanding is that the elected chiefs of the relevant first nations have agreed to this pipeline. If they have, then their opinion, and the opinion of their constituents who won't get promised jobs and royalties, are being ignored. We need the first nations people who see the value of this project to stand up and be noticed.
Up 87 Down 9
Jim on Feb 11, 2020 at 10:25 pm
Maybe the article should not say “Yukoners” are asking Larry to take a firm stance. Actually 20 supporters are asking. That’s hardly all Yukoners. I would bet if you checked with the majority, they would just as soon have Larry and all follow the rule of law. A very small minority are trying to shape our country’s future. They should be arrested immediately when blocking any public road or railway crossing. Letting this play on and media giving it any credibility is a huge mistake.
Up 81 Down 10
Obi on Feb 11, 2020 at 8:04 pm
Nice picture people!
Looks to me that you all are part of the no development anywhere, live in mud huts and eat grass, don’t drink milk cause cows have feelings, 5.1 million BC residents are not important, society.
Hereditary chiefs living in a Middle Ages feudal system are all that counts.
I worry for our Canada, when you and your friends think nothing of causing distress and grief to average Canadians who are just trying to get on with their lives.
Instead, if this continues, I think that what you are trying to achieve will be taken over by a major backlash from the silent majority that will have enough of your your stupidity, and lack of respect for the real laws of our country.
Up 14 Down 71
Today’s Tom Sawyer... on Feb 11, 2020 at 7:30 pm
You people are insane! One cannot have equal footing with the dominant group if one is merely relegated to voting in elections that mean nothing to a people other than the mock symbolism that voting offers. Voting is a sham to the minority groups who have constitutionally recognized status as free and sovereign peoples with an inherent right to self govern.
In fact voting is irrelevant to the function of a democracy. Voting is the pomp and circumstance occasion by which individuals formally cede their rights to democratic participation. Here, take my voice! In this light elections are like wet-farts in a colonialist-tornado - Everyone gets sucked in and no matter your position everyone is gonna wear it!
And... Everyone one is gonna talk some sh-t! Kinda like we got here in the comments section - Faux democratic participation!
Up 62 Down 10
Darrell Drugstore's smartest neighbour on Feb 11, 2020 at 6:06 pm
This is a PROVINCIAL matter - why are they wasting Bagnell's time ?
Up 87 Down 13
Thomas Brewer on Feb 11, 2020 at 4:19 pm
The days of hereditary rulers are long gone, abolish and ban the HC's, dismantle the monarchy (which are already neutered).
Up 99 Down 16
joe on Feb 11, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Absolutely not, I have a great idea, if you want to be out of Canada give back your birth certificate, drivers license, health care card and move on. Stop using canadian roads, hospitals and all the support networks we all pay for. So tired of the double standards.
Up 99 Down 11
Al on Feb 11, 2020 at 3:40 pm
You don't make friends and allies by disrupting everyone else's life and livelihood. In a democracy those who are elected to run the affairs of their community are the ones that hold the responsibility - not the hereditary chiefs and any others who feel they have say in what goes down.
The current demonstrations have nothing to do with Wet’suwet’en but more to do with an opportunity to whine about everything under the sun. It is just an excuse to stir up sh-t! Especially since no-one federally or provincially appears to have the where-with-all to say enough is enough!
I support peaceful demonstrations - I do not support blockades.
Up 103 Down 13
Anie on Feb 11, 2020 at 3:05 pm
Let me see if I understand - the word and signature of elected chiefs on legal contracts is meaningless and cannot be valid, because indigenous people prefer to have decisions made, and contracts voided, by non elected people whose authority over them stems strictly by their birth. And colonialism was a bad thing? So in the future, governments should not even try to negotiate with Indigenous governments because their word and signature apparently means nothing.
Up 94 Down 11
SheepChaser on Feb 11, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Thanks to the many RCMP officers participating in upholding the foundation of our democracy - the rule of law. Come home safe, folks.
Up 110 Down 16
Pathetic on Feb 11, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Stop with this garbage ok.
The >elected< chiefs approved this pipe line. Respect the rule of law.
"One attendee said she is concerned that a rising level of violence will result from the protests." Really? Then respect the law and injunction and don't block roads and access. Simple.
Sometimes people forget how good they have it in Canada. Sure, protest in front of the legislature, at city hall parking, in front of the federal building but once you start blocking roads preventing common working folk from getting to work or home, etc. you can expect it to back fire and not be beneficial to your cause.