Coastal GasLink has bulldozed a section of the ancient Kweese war trail. In a letter to provincial officials, the Office of Wet’suwet’en described the destruction as “an act of cultural genocide.” Despite failing to acquire the proper permits or complete an archaeological impact assessment in the area, CGL has cleared a section of the right of way for their pipeline directly over the trail.
The Kweese war trail is part of a vital story for the Tsayu clan, of which Kweese was a chief. The trail also passes through Unist’ot’en territory, and is important to the many clans and warriors that united to support Kweese in war against the Gitamaat. CGL’s actions continue to damage Wet’suwet’en cultural heritage, and attempt to erase our presence on the yintah.
The province has stood by and supported this destruction, despite the Wet’suwet’en repeatedly voicing concerns about the inadequacy of archaeological work on the territory. Both CGL and the province are complicit in the destruction of our cultural heritage. We have not consented to the construction of this pipeline, and continue to document CGL’s violations of Wet’suwet’en law and Canadian environmental and archaeological permits.
Ask BC Premier John Horgan how he plans to make BC the first province to fully implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (a promise he made in the Wet’suwet’en feast hall), while allowing acts of cultural genocide and ignoring the Wet’suwet’en right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent: (250) 387-1715
Ask Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations, how his ministry is acting to stop the destruction of Wet’suwet’en cultural heritage: (250) 847-6300
Contribute to the Unist’ot’en legal fund so we can continue to hold CGL accountable.