A Wet'suwet'en hereditary chief says the chiefs won't meet with the federal government over their opposition to a northern B.C. natural gas pipeline until both the RCMP and company leave their traditional territory.
Na'moks, who also goes by John Ridsdale, says the chiefs have communicated their terms to Carolyn Bennett, the minister responsible for Crown-Indigenous relations.
Bennett has sought to meet with the chiefs as the federal government faces mounting pressure to take action against protesters and demonstrators against Coastal GasLink's pipeline project, whose blockades have halted roads and rail lines.
This includes CN's northern mainline between Prince George and Prince Rupert.
Na'moks says four clan chiefs, who are the highest leaders under the First Nation's traditional form of governance, are travelling to Mohawk territory today (Feb. 19) in Ontario to thank members of that First Nation for their solidarity.
But, he also says that if the chiefs' conditions are met, any meeting with the federal government would have to take place on the Wet'suwet'en territory, which means it wouldn't likely occur until next week at the earliest.
Na'moks says he's not concerned that the chiefs might miss a window of opportunity for dialogue with the federal government.
As a result of the blockades, Via Rail announced a temporary work suspension of 1,000 employees.
The Crown corporation has suspended passenger trains on its Montreal-Toronto and Ottawa-Toronto routes for about two weeks in the wake of protests that have disrupted rail service across the country.
Via says it commends ongoing dialogue efforts between government and demonstrators at rail blockades in support of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs who oppose Coastal GasLink's natural gas pipeline.
Via says it is proceeding with temporary suspensions of the unionized employees "with sincere regret."
The company, which has resumed service in some parts of Ontario, has cancelled more than 530 trains since blockades began on Feb. 6.
- with files from Jess Fedigan, PrinceGeorgeMatters
