Wet’suwet’en leader and pipeline opponents found guilty of criminal contempt of court

Judge to hear applications of abuse of process

Solidarity rally in Ottawa on Jan 8, 2019. Photo: Facebook

by Jackie McKay, CBC News, Jan 12, 2024

A prominent Wet’suwet’en leader and two pipeline opponents were found guilty of criminal contempt of court for breaking an injunction against impeding work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline. 

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Michael Tammen read his decision to the court in Smithers on Friday. 

Trial of prominent Wet’suwet’en leader and land defenders begins

Three accused are charged with criminal contempt over Coastal GasLink pipeline blockades

by Jackie McKay, Jan 8, 2024

The trial is underway for three people charged with criminal contempt for breaking a court order forbidding them from blocking access to the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

Sleydo’ stands trial alongside Shaylynn Sampson, a Gitxsan woman with Wet’suwet’en family ties; and Corey Jocko, a Mohawk member of the Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy from Ontario. 

No link to existing protests found in Coastal Gaslink investigation, RCMP say

by Ian Holliday, CTV News, February 20, 2022

Mounties investigating the attack on a natural gas pipeline construction site in northern B.C. say they’re reviewing surveillance video from the scene, but no suspects have yet been identified, and so far no link to ongoing protests in the area has been found.

“There is video that we’re actively looking through, and we will likely be able to release some of that information at some point if it becomes pertinent for the investigative team,” said RCMP Staff Sgt. Sascha Baldinger in Houston, B.C. on Saturday.

Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders, supporters call for stop work order on Coastal GasLink pipeline

Pre-construction work on the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline is underway along the Morice Forest Service Road near Smithers in northern B.C. (Chantelle Bellrichard/CBC)

Pre-construction work underway in territory past Unist’ot’en camp

by Chantelle Bellrichard, CBC News, Feb 03, 2019

Driving along the forest service road outside Houston, B.C. voices come in and out over the radio channels as people co-ordinate with one another at a worksite for the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline.

Wet’suwet’en complaints about pipeline builder to be probed by government, police

President of Coastal GasLink pipeline Rick Gateman leaves the Office of the Wet’suwet’en after meeting with RCMP members and hereditary chiefs in Smithers, B.C., on Jan. 10. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)

Wet’suwet’en say traplines and tents destroyed, archeological impact assessment not yet done

The Canadian Press, Jan 29, 2019

The British Columbia government says it will inspect the site of a planned natural gas pipeline southwest of Houston following allegations that the company building the project is violating its permits.

Federal officials expected nationwide protest from RCMP action at Wet’suwet’en camp

Toronto protesters block a roadway in solidarity with Unist’ot’en in response to RCMP raid. Photo: Facebook

Government Operations Centre conducted risk assessment in 2015

by Jorge Barrera, CBC News,  Jan 12, 2019

Federal officials have long expected a nationwide fallout of protests from an eventual RCMP action against the Wet’suwet’en nation over the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline, internal documents show.

‘Tripod’ delays access to Unist’ot’en camp; RCMP to maintain presence

RCMP take down “tripod” blocking access past Unist’ot’en camp Jan. 11. (Twitter photo)

by Chris Gareau, Interior News, Jan 11, 2019

Police checkpoints stayed up Friday as a structure blocked RCMP and Coastal GasLink workers’ past the Morice River bridge.

Described by police as a “tripod,” social media rumours that it held cultural significance were quashed by Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and Unist’ot’en spokesperson Freda Huson, and they confirmed they wished it be removed according to RCMP.

Deal reached in northern British Columbia pipeline impasse

Solidarity rally in Ottawa on Jan 8, 2019. Photo: Facebook

by Amy Smart, The Canadian Press, January 10, 2019

SMITHERS, B.C. — Hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation have reached a deal with the RCMP to allow a natural gas company access across a bridge that had been blocked in their territory.

Following several hours of meetings, Chief Na’Moks told reporters Thursday that the agreement is between the chiefs and the RCMP to ensure the safety of the First Nation’s members after 14 arrests were made on Monday when a court injunction was enforced by police.

RCMP, Wet’suwet’en reach tentative deal to let gas company workers through

Agreement would give pipeline workers access to area by Thursday afternoon

by Chantelle Bellrichard, CBC News,  Jan 9, 2019

A tentative agreement has been reached to allow workers for a natural gas pipeline company to access to an area in northern B..C. that had been the focal point of a First Nation protest.

The hereditary leadership of the Wet’suwet’en Nation spelled out some of the details of the tentative deal in a Facebook livestream on Wednesday from the healing centre of the Unist’ot’en camp.

RCMP arrive at Unist’ot’en camp with hereditary chiefs

Members of the RCMP Division Liaison Team arrive at Unist’ot’en checkpoint. Photo: Jesse Winter/StarMetro Vancouver.

By Perrin Grauer, Alex McKeen, Jesse Winter, StarMetro Vancouver, Jan. 9, 2019

UNIST’OT’EN CAMP— The RCMP and hereditary chiefs, with media in tow, arrived at the Unist’ot’en camp about 65 kilometres outside of Houston, B.C. in a bid to peacefully shut down the days-old standoff with members of the Wet’suwet’en nation.