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Native protesters block northern B.C. highway
Demonstrators demand to speak with provincial, federal politicians
Native protesters have halted almost all industrial traffic to logging and mining sites near Fort St. James, B.C., and are demanding to speak with local politicians.
Since Wednesday, 14 protesters from the Nak'azdli Band have blocked Highway 27 at Necoslie Road over safety concerns with industrial traffic.
Highway 27 is the only highway through Fort St. James and the only route to logging sites and construction at the Mount Milligan mine.
Local vehicles are being allowed through, but RCMP Const. Leslie Smith said the situation has grown tense.
"Blocking down the entire highway is causing a lot of stress for that community," said Smith. "You know there have been heightened emotions from the drivers of these commercial trucks."
After late-night negotiations, the Nak'azdli protesters are now allowing two trucks through every hour. A three-hour detour around the blockade is in effect for other commercial vehicles.
RCMP negotiating with protesters
The RCMP is negotiating with the protesters and Smith said the group is demanding to speak to MLA Pat Bell or MP Nathen Cullen.
"The leader of the blockade is now making demands to speak to a member of Parliament so they can be heard. We do believe this is going to come to a peaceful outcome but we just ask the community to stay with us at this time," said Smith.
Thursday morning, Nak'azdli Chief Fred Sam said the protesters are "traditional stewards of the land," acting without the band's blessing.
Sam said band members are trying to get the attention of the province in order to strike a deal on the sharing of resource revenue.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Nak'azdli chief and council clarified the protesters' position, saying they understand their frustration.
"Through discussions with the Nak'azdli members that have set up the information gateway, it has been stated by Tsoh Daih (Pete Erickson) 'The issue can be summed up in one word SAFETY this is an issue that all Fort St. James residents can relate with due to the increase in traffic,'" the council wrote.
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Native protesters block northern B.C. highway
Demonstrators demand to speak with provincial, federal politicians
Native protesters have halted almost all industrial traffic to logging and mining sites near Fort St. James, B.C., and are demanding to speak with local politicians.
Since Wednesday, 14 protesters from the Nak'azdli Band have blocked Highway 27 at Necoslie Road over safety concerns with industrial traffic.
Highway 27 is the only highway through Fort St. James and the only route to logging sites and construction at the Mount Milligan mine.
Local vehicles are being allowed through, but RCMP Const. Leslie Smith said the situation has grown tense.
"Blocking down the entire highway is causing a lot of stress for that community," said Smith. "You know there have been heightened emotions from the drivers of these commercial trucks."
After late-night negotiations, the Nak'azdli protesters are now allowing two trucks through every hour. A three-hour detour around the blockade is in effect for other commercial vehicles.
RCMP negotiating with protesters
The RCMP is negotiating with the protesters and Smith said the group is demanding to speak to MLA Pat Bell or MP Nathen Cullen.
"The leader of the blockade is now making demands to speak to a member of Parliament so they can be heard. We do believe this is going to come to a peaceful outcome but we just ask the community to stay with us at this time," said Smith.
Thursday morning, Nak'azdli Chief Fred Sam said the protesters are "traditional stewards of the land," acting without the band's blessing.
Sam said band members are trying to get the attention of the province in order to strike a deal on the sharing of resource revenue.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Nak'azdli chief and council clarified the protesters' position, saying they understand their frustration.
"Through discussions with the Nak'azdli members that have set up the information gateway, it has been stated by Tsoh Daih (Pete Erickson) 'The issue can be summed up in one word SAFETY this is an issue that all Fort St. James residents can relate with due to the increase in traffic,'" the council wrote.
More on link.
