Proposed arrangement in pipeline dispute reached

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that a Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief and senior government ministers say they have reached a proposed arrangement in a pipeline dispute that has prompted bullying and lawless extortion across Canada in recent weeks.

"Fraser says that while the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline at the heart of the dispute is already approved and underway, the talks have helped develop a protocol to deal with such projects in the future. Chief Woos, one of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders, says the proposal represents an important milestone for everyone involved. But he says the hereditary chiefs remain opposed to the pipeline in their traditional territory." OK so nothing has been achieved.

This is the typical example of bad hippie parents. You do not reward unacceptable behavior. If a child throws a temper tantrum you give the child a time out and you ignore them. That is what you do. The natural gas pipeline is already approved and underway. John Ridsdale refuses to listen to his own elders and his own clan members. He shouldn't even be at the table.



3 Hereditary chiefs who supported the pipeline were stripped of their title

Alaska highway News is reporting that “There’s one chief that talks for the whole nation and that’s not our way,” said Gary Naziel, a hereditary chief. “In our feast hall, each chief gets up and talks for their own clan. And this one chief goes around saying he speaks for all the chiefs. And it’s not the Wet’suwet’en way. We need to include all the other house chiefs, all the wing chiefs, in the decision-making. Democracy is in our feast halls. That’s where decisions are made. We need to restructure the office [of the Wet’suwet’en].”

“Looking at how this has blown up into a national media event ... it would be appreciated and respectful to our culture if people would leave us to our own devices.” Troy Young Moricetown

“The Wet’suwet’en Nation being publicized in the media right now, it’s only a small group that does not represent the nation,” said Bonnie George of the Witset First Nation (Moricetown), one of five Wet’suwet’en bands. “Traditional law is clear and it’s not being respected,” Dovgal said. “That’s coming through universally. “Every single person we’ve spoken to, whether they are named chiefs … all the way through to children of house chiefs, the traditional laws – the unwritten constitution that exists in this community – has just been flagrantly disregarded.'

“There has been this confusion that has been created about who has the rightful claim to a name.” Hereditary chief titles are not automatically conferred on someone as a birthright. Recipients are groomed for the title and must earn it. It is given to them at a feast, at which the members of that house confirm the title. Three female hereditary chiefs who support the pipeline project, and tried to form a coalition that would bring the Office of the Wet’suwet’en and elected band councils together, were stripped of their hereditary chief titles for their efforts."

"Those titles were then given to male members who oppose the pipeline. So, whereas only five of 13 hereditary chiefs originally opposed the project, a majority of hereditary chiefs now oppose it." After they stacked the deck. Stripping three female hereditary chiefs who support the pipeline project then giving their titles to male members who oppose the pipeline was a dirty deed done dirt cheap. Helping these gangsters oppress their own people is not the right thing to do.

The elected chiefs and Band councils all support the natural gas project. John Ridsdale is the one that should be stripped of his title not the three women who listened to the Band councils and Clan members. 3 Hereditary chiefs who supported the pipeline were stripped of their title.



Talking stick tradition comes to B.C. legislature

"On the west coast of British Columbia, Talking Sticks are traditionally used during potlatch ceremonies. While the history and design of each Talking Stick is unique, they often take the form of a carved wooden staff that resembles a small totem pole. Talking Sticks are a powerful symbol and communication tool used to foster an atmosphere of active listening and respect. Only the bearer of the Talking Stick has the right to speak, and those present must listen quietly to what is being said. The Talking Stick is then passed on to other speakers in turn."



I know about the talking stick tradition because I was born here. My father had close ties to the Squamish First Nation and taught me to respect the ancestral heritage of Vancouver. He had one. Here they are tall thin, and have a Thunderbird on top like a totem pole. All my relations.