A resolution put forward at the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs’ Assembly addressing RCMP use of force against land defenders, has been withdrawn.
On the first day of meetings, Chief Lance Haymond put forward the ‘Peaceful resolution of disputes involving Indigenous title and rights’ motion.
It’s intent was to address the RCMP’s militarized handling of a pipeline injunction on Wet’suwet’en territory last month, which resulted in nearly 30 arrests.
But the motion was withdrawn at the request of Wet’suwet’en Elected Chief Maureen Luggi.
Luggi said the resolution would be viewed as the AFN taking sides in a matter that should, and normally would, be resolved internally.
Support for the motion quickly faded as Chiefs agreed that they didn’t want to get involved in taking sides between the Hereditary and Elected Chiefs.
While the elected council was one of many to give approval to the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, the Hereditary Chiefs were not.
Luggi says her Council, Canada, BC, and the Hereditary Chiefs are in communication, and trying to solve the matter internally.
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