British Columbia Prosecution Service seeks jail time for three Indigenous land defenders arrested on Wet’suwet’en territory

Published by Brent Patterson on October 16, 2025 October 16, 2025

Photo: The rally and march from Highway 16 and Main Street to the Provincial Court of British Columbia on Alfred Avenue in Smithers.

The Interior News reports: “The B.C. Prosecution Service is seeking custodial sentences for three Coastal GasLink pipeline opponents convicted last year of criminal contempt for blockading a worksite near Houston.”

“Crown counsel Paul Backman laid out the ask to Supreme Court Justice Michael Tammen as the sentencing hearing for Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham), Shaylynn Sampson, and Corey Jocko got underway in Smithers this morning (Oct. 15).”

The article continues: “Backman said the Crown believes an appropriate sentence for Sleydo’ is 30 days given her leadership role in the blockade. This would be reduced by eight days for time-served on remand after her arrest on Nov. 19. The prosecution also recommended a further reduction of two to five days for excessive force and racial abuse the defendants were subjected to by the RCMP.”

It further notes: “For Jocko, Backman petitioned for 25 days in jail, less eight days for time served, less two to five days for the Charter violation. Finally Backman asked for 20 days for Sampson, less six days time served as she was released the day before the other two (time served is credited as 1.5 days for each day incarcerated).”

Both Peace Brigades International-Canada and Amnesty International were present in the courtroom observing the proceedings. The Amnesty International media release, that highlights that Front Line Defenders is also monitoring the sentencing hearing, can be read at International Human Rights Organizations to Monitor Sentencing of Indigenous Land Defenders Criminalized by Canada.

Justice Michael Tammen is expected to issue his ruling on Friday October 17.

Other media coverage has included: Sentencing of land defenders tests Canada’s commitment to Indigenous rights (National Observer), and Amnesty International to attend Wet’suwet’en blockade sentencing hearings (CBC News).

Additional photos from October 15, 2025.