Gitxsan and Gitanyow land defenders anticipate RCMP CRU-BC violence as they peacefully resist the PRGT pipeline

Published by Brent Patterson on September 9, 2024 September 9, 2024

Photo: Luutkuziiwus member Aspin’m nax’nox on Madii Lii territory. Photo by Amy Romer.

In Another pipeline battle brews in northern B.C., journalist Brandi Morin writes about the police violence that the Gitanyow and Gitxsan anticipate as they peacefully resist the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline.

Morin writes:

“We saw years and years of fighting (in Wet’suwet’en territory), the police violence, and even the company with harassment and surveillance of land defenders,” said [Gitanyow Hereditary Chief Gamlakyeltxw, Wil Marsden, of the Lax Ganeda (frog) Clan]. “We don’t want none of that to happen here. We have a plan for everything we’re doing and we prefer to reconcile with B.C. and Canada,” he said, while sounds of children playing and laughter is heard from the blockade site in the background.

Bordering Gitanyow territories to the east is the Gitxsan (meaning “people of the river mist”) community of Kispiox (“people of the hiding place”). Some Kispiox band members are readying to set up various blockades along with the local settler community who don’t want their environment compromised by the PRGT project.

[George Muldoe, 83, who holds the legendary hereditary name Delgamuuk is] concerned for the safety of Gitxsan land defenders prepping to resist the coming PRGT project. With a far-off look, Muldoe recounts watching the RCMP’s formerly called C-IRG unit, (now called CRU-BC) arrest Wet’suwet’en using warfare tactics. He recalled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressing the media about dissension against “progress.” “Trudeau said if anyone tries to stop the economy of Canada, he will not hesitate to use force.” Those words seared into Muldoe’s psyche. He’s sure Canada, the province, the PRGT along with the RCMP will implement force if Gitxsan attempts to stop the project.

Luutkuziiwus member Aspin’m nax’nox, Ira Good, lives out at Madii Lii territory when he’s not working as a truck driver in Prince Rupert. “One hundred per cent this pipeline will go through. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. If the government and industry try to come in and enforce their injunctions, they’ll bring their strong arm RCMP and enforce their laws without taking our laws into consideration. But I know my territory,” he paused and pointed enthusiastically to the wilderness outside the window. “I know where everything is out there. They’re going to be coming in with rifles, drones, dogs, power saws, helicopters, everything… what will happen? I’ll go to jail; I’ll go to court.”

To read the full article by Brandi Morin, go to Another pipeline battle brews in northern B.C. (Brandi Morin, Ricochet, September 9, 2024).