Statement 
February 24, 2022

First Nations Leadership Council Statement on Violence in Wet’suwet’en Territory

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is concerned with recent reports of violence and acts of vandalism in Wet’suwet’en territory at the Coastal GasLink pipeline project.

Our first and foremost concern is for the safety and well-being of the Wet’suwet’en people who, like all First Nations in BC, actively exercise their rights and traditional practices, such as trapping, year-round within their traditional territory. The Wet’suwet’en should not have to fear for their safety or well being while undertaking their traditional practices and should not have any on-going investigations negatively impact their ability to carry out their traditional practices or limit access to their territories.

We stand with the Wet’suwet’en people in complete opposition to any acts of violence or any acts of vandalism within their territory.

-30-

The First Nations Leadership Council is comprised of the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), First Nations Summit (FNS), and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).

For further information, contact:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Phone:      250-490-5314 
Annette Schroeter, BCAFN Communications                                    778-281-1655
Colin Braker, FNS Communications, Phone:                                     604-926-9903 ext. 110          

Download PDF