Unist’ot’en members have accused Coastal GasLink of bulldozing through the heart of one of their traplines.
Photo Unist’ot’en Facebook
CGL contractors are conducting preliminary work south of Houston for the pipeline which would connect gas fields in B.C.’s northeast to the LNG Canada export terminal being built in Kitimat.
In a Facebook post, the Unist’ot’en say trapping and returning to the land is part of their healing center programming to help recover from the trauma of colonization.
The Unist’ot’en say the damage, including the loss of two traps, represents a direct attack on their healing center, the wellness of the Wet’suwet’en, and is a violation of the Wildlife Act.
In a statement posted to its website, Coastal GasLink says its crews encountered what it says were newly placed animal traps in the trees and new signs stating there were traps on a work site about 17 km from the Morice River Bridge.
CGL says it provided previous notice to trappers in the area to make people aware and to avoid any disturbance.
Photo Unist’ot’en Facebook
The company says it has taken steps to notify the trap owner that the traps must be removed from the area and will attempt to work collaboratively with them.
The Unist’ot’en say there was no advance notice of any bulldozing or clearing and that CGL continues to disrespect their yintah, culture, people, and traditional practices.
