RCMP Unit Banned from Gitxsan Territory by Hereditary Chiefs Says Their Legal Obligations Take Priority Over the Ban

One of the RCMP’s most controversial units will not be complying with an order banning them from Gitxsan territory, at least not fully.

Issued by the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs in January, the order forbids the Community-Industry Response Group from trespassing on their lands.

While the group says they will do everything in their power to respect the ban, they say their legal obligations take top priority.

But those obligations often see them at odds with Indigenous land defenders and climate activists as they attempt to enforce injunction orders.

According to the RCMP, the C-IRG is tasked with providing oversight in and addressing incidents related to energy projects.

Over the past few years, those efforts have seen them arrest dozens of First Nations members during militarized enforcements at blockades.

An investigation into the C-IRG’s operations was launched by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission earlier this month, following slews of complaints.

Despite the issues with the group, the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs say work to co-develop a community safety plan alongside the RCMP, which began last year, is going well so far.