Protesters in Kahnawake form rolling blockades in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs
Protesters in Kahnawake took to the roads Wednesday to form a rolling blockade in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, who oppose a pipeline project in northern B.C. on their territory.
The event took place at around 1 p.m. Wednesday as protesters slowed traffic on highways 132 and 138 south of Montreal.
If completed, the pipeline would transport natural gas from Dawson Creek in northeastern B.C. to Kitimat on the coast. According to Coastal GasLink, the company administering the pipeline, the project is more than halfway finished.
Last week, Mounties in northern B.C. said they were enforcing an injunction barring protests from blocking an access road used by Coastal GasLink pipeline workers.
On Friday, the RCMP arrested 15 people -- including two journalists – following a series of protests that blocked access to that road.
“Canada must act quickly to bring an immediate end to the current volatile situation,” said Kahnawake Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer in a statement released on Tuesday.
ONGOING SUPPORT
The dispute over the 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline flared previously in 2019 and 2020, with land defenders in Kahnawake shutting down a portion of CP rail running through their community.
At the time, several other protests sprung up across the country, including nearby blockades in Listuguj, a Miꞌgmaq First Nation in eastern Quebec, and in Belleville, Ont.
Several people were arrested in 2020 when the RCMP enforced a court ruling which established an exclusion zone in areas where protesters were blocking access to the construction site.
Now, a year later, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) said in their Tuesday statement that “no one wants a repeat of the events of early 2020, when anger and frustration over the RCMP’s heavy handed actions boiled over into protests across the country.”
The MCK called on Canadian decision-makers to meet face-to-face with local leaders to resolve the conflict.
“In 2020, the situation only de-escalated after high-level representatives from the federal and provincial governments sat with the Traditional Chiefs to come to an agreement,” read the statement.
“It is unfortunate that such recent history can so quickly be forgotten.”
In 2020, Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs traveled to Kahnawake in their final stop on a tour of eastern communities that supported them.
At the time, a ceremony was held to formalize a partnership between traditional leaders of both communities.
The MCK said Tuesday it’s “committed to respecting and supporting this relationship by remaining available to offer its assistance, should this be requested."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.