Gitxsan Huwilp Government calls for halt of rail hauling near their Laxyip and Anaat

Following the derailment of a CN Rail train near the North Pacific Cannery in Prince Edward, the Gitxsan Huwilp Government, representing the Gitxsan Nation’s Hereditary Chiefs, has issued a statement calling for the immediate halt to rail hauling near their Laxyip and Anaat – their traditional territory, and sacred fishing sites respectively.

Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs have said they are ‘high alert’ following Monday’s derailment – calling it a direct threat to the Oolichans which are currently running in the Skeena River, and therefore, a threat to the food security of the Gitxsan people.

Simogyet Moolaxan (Norman Moore) has accused the BC Ministry of Transportation of downplaying the severity of the derailment, and of the potential for what he called ‘impending rail disasters on the Gitxsan traditional territories.’

A statement from the Gitxsan Huwilp Government claims that photos of the derailment site appears to show rail cars carrying oil laying within the Skeena River, contrary to the official CN Rail statement about the contents of the train. Photos of the site do confirm some of the cars had come to rest very near the waterline at the edge of the river, and some may have dipped into it.

For it’s part, CN Rail has been adamant that there is no threat to the public as a result of the derailment, and says there were no injuries, fires, or leaks when it took place. They also stressed that the 27 train cars that derailed were empty grain cars, and that there were no dangerous goods involved. CN Rail has also confirmed that their crews had worked overnight on Monday and throughout the day on Tuesday to retrieve the cars that derailed onto the banks of the Skeena, in addition to the lead locomotive itself.

A Spill Report has now been filed on the BC Government Website relating to the derailment, indicating that contrary to initial reports, at least one locomotive fuel tank is leaking diesel, with an estimated 1000 liters of fuel released, some of which has made its way into the watercourse of the Skeena.

Clean up operations are underway, supported by crews from local First Nations. Skimming operations are underway on the water, with a containment boom and absorbent materials already deployed. A diesel sheen has been visible on the surface of the water.

Meanwhile, Coastal First Nations, including Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, and Gitxaala Nation have each issued statements confirming their Government’s are aware of the incident and are keeping tabs on it.

This article has been updated to reflect the filing of a Spill Report related to the incident on the BC Government website