Photo: Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks, Wet’suwet’en land defender Gaylene Morris of the Likhsamasyu Clan, Gitxsan hereditary leader Gwii Lok’im Gibuu, Jesse Stoeppler, and Dogwood Northern B.C. coordinator Kai Nagata.
Indigenous Climate Action has posted on Instagram: “Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting a summit on Bill C-5 on July 16–17 in Gatineau, QC — but key hereditary leaders, including the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs were not initially included.”
“After public pressure and pushback, Hereditary Chief Na’Moks was granted entry [on Wednesday July 16] — but it shouldn’t take this kind of effort just to be heard.”
Their post continues: “The government clearly hasn’t learned from past conflicts like Coastal GasLink. They’re still treating FPIC [free, prior and informed consent] like a formality instead of what it really is: a promise to respect Indigenous sovereignty. That’s why Gwii Lok’im Gibuu, Jesse Stoeppler, and Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks are heading to Gatineau — to speak up for their communities and lands!”
Yesterday (July 16), the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition and Gidimt’en Checkpoint further posted on Facebook: “Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition Co-executive Director, Gwii Lok’im Gibuu (Jesse Stoeppler), and Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks flew to Gatineau, QC yesterday to attend Prime Minister Carney’s Summit today on Bill C-5… a Summit they weren’t invited to!”
Chief Na’Moks told the Canadian Press: “I don’t need Canada’s permission or validation to be here to speak the truth and hold them accountable when they want to destroy this country without any input from hereditary (chiefs) or any Indigenous people. They are just picking and choosing who sits that room.”
After they were allowed into the summit on C-5, Chief Na’Moks released a statement that in part says: “Our exclusion from the initial planning and participation in this summit was a serious breach of the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and a continuation of colonial patterns that must end.”
Chief Na’Moks further highlighted: “My presence here is not symbolic—it is substantive. I am here to ensure that the voices of our people are heard, that our governance is respected, and that decisions are not made without us.”
As for the outcome of the summit, Chief Na’Moks is quoted by CBC News commenting: “We know they have a predetermined outcome.”
Reactions to Prime Minister Carney and the summit
After the prime minister addressed the summit, CBC News reported: “Carney’s remarks drew mixed reviews from First Nations leaders in attendance, with some expressing tempered optimism and others panning the entire process. ‘I’m leaving Ottawa with more concerns and more questions,’ said Gwii Lok’im Gibuu (Jesse Stoeppler) who is Gitxsan and deputy chief of Hagwilget Village Council in northern B.C., as he stood outside the meeting. ‘I didn’t have much faith in the process to begin with, and I’m leaving very concerned.’”
That article adds: “Chiefs were asked to submit questions in advance, and when they arrived there was a list of questions on the tables for them to comment on. Some felt they were being talked at, not listened to. …Na’Moks (John Ridsdale), a hereditary chief of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, [commented]: ‘You don’t give people a script that they must stick to because you’ve already made a decision.’”
Neskantaga, Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan leaders meet
Photo: Neskantaga Elder Alex Moonias and Chief Gary Quisess meet with Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan leaders, July 17, 2025.
The intervention at the C-5 summit also created the moment on Thursday morning in which Neskantaga, Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan leaders met.
As the Wet’suwet’en defended their yintah against the construction of the Coastal GasLink fracked gas pipeline, the Gitxsan prepare to defend their laxyip from the proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline, the Neskantaga seek to protect their lands and waters from Ring of Fire critical mineral mining projects.
Just as there is concern about the Carney government’s C-5 legislation, the province of Ontario’s Bill 5, the Protect Ontario By Unleashing Our Economy Act, allows the provincial government to designate “special economic zones” that would bypass environmental regulations and enable Ring of Fire mining.
APTN News has reported: “Ring of Fire Metals, owned by Australian mining giant Wyloo, and Juno Corp, a Canadian company formed in 2019, own the vast majority of claims in the area that is said to be replete with critical minerals.”
Earlier this year, CBC News also reported: “The Ring of Fire in northwestern Ontario has become a key figure in the battle to control critical minerals, which experts say is the heart of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada.”
Photo: Neskantaga Chief Gary Quisess and Gitxsan hereditary leader Gwii Lok’im Gibuu.
When PBI-Canada asked Elder Alex Moonias if he is concerned that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will intervene on Neskantaga lands just as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG) raided Wet’suwet’en lands, he poignantly replied: “That is their way.”
Photo: Elder Alex Moonias
We continue to follow this.
Further reading
Statement following the summit (July 17, 2025)
Warnings of road, rail and mine blockades if Ring of Fire declared a “special economic zone” under Ontario’s Bill 5 legislation (May 27, 2025)
The struggle to live in peace; defenders of territories in Colombia and Canada meet to renew and strengthen relationships of solidarity (June 26, 2025).
