Image Credit: The Canadian Press

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: This land is their land

Feb 14, 2020 | 2:12 PM

AS I HAVE READ about the dispute over Wet’suwet’en land and the Coastal GasLink pipeline, I have had quite a hard time coming to some conclusions in my own mind.

As one individual hundreds of kilometres away from the epicentre of the friction, it is, of course, not incumbent that I do draw any conclusions.

At the same time, all of us seek to understand the world around us, and it’s better that we do so with a mind open to other possibilities and aware of our own biases.

And maybe my own journey can help others trying to wrap their own heads around it.

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So here it is.

The product that would be transported by the Coastal GasLink pipeline would result in cleaner-burning energy in a part of the world that is notorious for being slow to reduce air pollution.

The construction of the project will result in a huge economic boost to a region that desperately needs it – including hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for Indigenous workers.

It has been supported by band councils and surveys have shown it is supported by a majority of band members.

But here’s the thing: it’s not a popularity contest. The majority does not rule.

That’s the way our society works in so many ways – and that’s the way Wet’suwet’en society works as well.

And here’s the other thing: it’s their land.

The Wet’suwet’en have title over their land; the courts have decided that. If their own decision-makers are saying no, then it’s a no.

Coastal GasLink will just have to go around.

The civil action that has resulted in huge impacts to Canada’s economy are another issue.

Whether the action is gaining or repelling support for the Wet’suwet’en position is a matter for the organizers to tackle.

But it’s understandable.

A proper fiduciary action by our government’s leaders would be to sit back, take a breath, call off the RCMP, and talk.

There is no hurry.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.