Gidimt’en Chiefs, members, and supporters against the construction of pipelines on their territory released a statement yesterday.
In the release, they say that days of conflict with Coastal GasLink workers and RCMP ended in the clearing of a culturally significant archaeological site on Cas Yikh territory.
CGL has received a site alteration permit from the BC Oil and Gas Commission, but the Wet’suwet’en say they never offered their consent.
Members of the Nation say they issued a cease and desist letter to all involved parties.
It is not the first time that workers in the territory have been accused of destroying archaeological finds, and the Gidim’ten say that, without their consent, such actions are illegal.
As a result, the release demands the revoking of their alteration permit while a proper consultation process is launched.
You can read the full Wet’suwet’en release here.
Coastal GasLink Response
When asked for response, Coastal GasLink told CFNR that over the course of the project, pipeline routing is changed to avoid as many culturally sensitive areas as possible, but sometimes they cannot be avoided.
According to the company in these cases, and in the case of archaeological sites, they consult with Indigenous groups prior to applying for permits.
In their response, CGL say they have invited the Office of the Wet’suwet’en and the Cas Yikh house to participate in field work at the site.
They say they have been communicating regularly with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en over the past two years.
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