The RCMP have released a statement following a Jan. 31 incident between officers and Gidimt’en clan mamber Carmen Nikal.
In the Feb. 3 release the RCMP say Nikal and two other individuals attempted to access the checkpoint in a car. They told the RCMP they were heading to a camp further down the road to drop off supplies.
Police say the driver provided their identification to officers but Nikal and the other passenger refused to.
Both passengers remained on the other side of the roadblock while access was granted to the driver.
“As the driver went through the checkpoint, she stopped on the other side,” the release said. “Both the male and female passengers attempted to cross through the checkpoint on foot. They were warned that they would be arrested for obstruction if they attempted to cross.
“The male immediately stopped, however the female passenger proceeded and a police officer advised her that she was being detained. At this point she did not continue to push her way through and turned to walk the other way. The detention immediately ended at that point and the driver returned to take both passengers to the sheltered area at the 27 kilometre mark.”
READ MORE: Gidimt’en clan comdemning RCMP action after elder arrested at checkpoint
In a Feb. 1 press release the Gidimt’en Clan condemned the arrest and voiced disappointment that the checkpoint, as well as a large police presence, was still in place within the territory.
It went on to say that as Nikal was a passenger in the vehicle she was not lawfully required to identify herself to police.
In their original release regarding the access control checkpoint the RCMP say that “occupants requesting entry” will be required to state their purpose, and provide identification.
Police say no further action is being taken by RCMP on the matter and that the access control checkpoint will remain in place as dialogue continues toward resolving disputes between the hereditary chiefs and Coastal GasLink.
To the above point, the hereditary chiefs are meeting with Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Scott Fraser for seven days of “Wiggus” — meaning respect in the Wet’suwet’en language — talks surrounding the dispute.
The hereditary chiefs say the talks are discussions, but not negotiations.
trevor.hewitt@interior-news.com
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