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08 May 2012
Office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2012
Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs call on Justice Minister to act on RCMP refusal to enforce injunction against blockade
Gitxsan Traditional Territory BC – The Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs are calling on Justice Minister Shirley Bond to direct the RCMP to enforce a court ordered injunction to allow the chiefs access to their building in Hazelton. The Gitxsan Chiefs office has been shut down by an illegal blockade since early December 2011.
At a hearing on April 3, 2012, before the BC Supreme Court in Smithers, Mr. Justice McEwan stated clearly the blockade was illegal and urged the RCMP to take steps to enforce the injunction. Thus far the RCMP in Hazelton has refused to enforce the injunction or the criminal code and remove the blockade.
In a letter to Minister Bond, the Chiefs ask Bond to, “ direct the Force to do what they are sworn to do and what we as BC taxpayers are paying them to do: enforce the law.” The Chiefs have also asked for an immediate meeting with the Minister to discuss the situation.
“Our ways have been and always will be to discuss our differences in a respectful manner to reach a consensus, not engage in illegal activities and disrespect our traditions,” says Wii Eelast (Jim Angus) An hereditary chief who has held his name for 40 years and is chairperson of the Gitxsan Treaty Society, “ Over the past five months we have attempted repeatedly to meet with the blockaders to come to a mutually acceptable resolution but they seem to have no appetite for having a respectful discussion.”
“Recently there was a blockade of some railway tracks in White Rock. An injunction was obtained and the RCMP removed the blockade within 24 hours, “says Gwaans (Bev Clifton Percival) ,”It is disappointing to see that there appears to be a double standard in how the RCMP is responding. Why is there immediate action in Vancouver but none taken here in Hazelton?”
About the Office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs
The office represents the Simgiigyet of the Gitxsan Nation. The head Simgiigyet are the decision makers and utilize the Gimlitxwit (the traditional governance group made up of head chiefs of Gitxsan house groups) as a decision making forum to make collective decisions on Gitxsan rights and title to our lax yip (land). The Simgiigyet and wilp members have ownership and jurisdiction over 33,000 sq km of land.
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For further comment please contact:
Wii Ealast (Jim Angus)
Office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs
250-877-3089
Gwaans (Bev Clifton Percival)
Office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs
250-847-0603
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