Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs are demanding the immediate resignation of BC Supreme Court Justice Leonard Marchand Jr. for violations of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy and the Delgamuukw decision. At a rally yesterday, outside the BC Supreme Court in Vancouver, Hereditary Chief Tsabux (Willie Blackwater) expressed disappointment, stating they were misled about Marchand’s commitment to First Nations perspectives in the justice system.
He criticized Marchand for enabling industry-led injunctions that lead to the militarized deployment of RCMP on Gitxsan territory. “Every time these injunctions are issued, he undermines trust between First Nations and the justice system,” Tsabux said. Hereditary Chief Gwiiyeehl (Brian Williams) emphasized that the Delgamuukw case mandated negotiation over litigation regarding land issues, but instead, courts have been used to erase Gitxsan presence. “This is a travesty, and we demand his immediate resignation,” he concluded. The Gitxsan remain committed to protecting their traditional lands and seeking justice.
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