More than 40 Individuals Join Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs in Calling for an End to Industry-Led Injunctions on Indigenous Land

More than 40 individuals joined the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs yesterday at a rally calling for an end to industry-led injunctions on Indigenous lands.

Participants marched to the steps of the BC Supreme Court in Vancouver to push for an end to RCMP-led enforcement of the court-orders.

They also called for the dismantling of the controversial Community-Industry Response Group, who are tasked with addressing crimes related to industry projects.

But, that means they are often deployed, in full military gear, in response to peaceful demonstrations from Indigenous land defenders.

An investigation was launched into the group in March following hundreds of complaints of racism and harassment against Indigenous residents.

Eight Hereditary Chiefs spoke at the rally, which also called for RCMP to sign an armistice agreement proposed by the Chiefs in April.

It would limit the C-IRG’s access to their territory, call for the cessation of hostile acts, and reduce the number of RCMP allowed on their territory to 9.

Earlier this year, the Chiefs banned the C-IRG from their territory following numerous enforcements related to industry injunctions.