Hereditary Chief Na’moks of the Wet’suwet’en speaks in Montreal

Chief Na’moks recalled that the exploitation of natural resources on indigenous territories is not just about the Wet’suwet’en. He added that his nation never signed a document which allows the industry to cut the territory [des Wet’suwet’en] in two.

His intervention is part of the construction of the Costal GasLink gas pipeline, which the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs oppose. Many Aboriginal people were arrested by the RCMP during protests against the project.

He asked for the application the law [wet’suwet’en] in its territory, and [que cela se fasse] with respect for all living beings – it is our duty.

Chief Na’moks further demanded that the Canadian state and industry respect, recognize and accommodate Wet’suwet’en rights in an effort to achieve sustainable development of the territory. Moreover, he said he hoped that the Canadian government recognize the system of governance of his nation. We are at homehe noted.

According to him, the exploitation of resources on the Wet’suwet’en territory would require in particular meaningful consultations, information sharing, and discussions with leaders on all aspects of the projects. It must be negotiations of government to government who would be fairhe pleaded.

For Chief Na’moks, no serious action has been taken to ensure that the rights of the Wet’suwet’en Nation are respected in the Costal GasLink pipeline file, and the stakeholders in the file don’t listen to the people.

Tell the truth

Chief Na’moks’ participation in the general assembly of Amnesty International aimed to raise awareness among participants of violence and all that [nous] happens, to all aboriginal people in the countryhe said in an interview.

There’s no reason for [justifier] violence [des autorités] on our territory, towards our people and our supporters [car] we are non violent, he said. During his conference, a video showing several forceful interventions by the RCMP against members of the Wet’suwet’en Nation was also presented.

” People are putting their lives on the line, and that shouldn’t happen in Canada. »

However, [nous] we can speak up, and no matter what elected officials or the industry may say, the truth is outhe continued.

Chief Na’moks’ objective is to return to what the [gouvernement du] Canada said it would for aboriginal people in the country. It’s a democracy, and that’s not how it’s run: a democracy sees the people have a voice, and they will hear the voice of the government, but here, [on entend seulement] the voice of industryhe was indignant.

The dollar is becoming more important than human beingslamented the chief Na’moks.

” We need government and industry that recognize wellness, that protect the planet, because the planet knows how we [devrions agir]but she is last on the list [des priorités]and that is not progress. »

He explained that the existence of human beings should not be our priority, but that we should [plutôt] protect the land, water, and air, [ce qui] would be real progress.

That [le gouvernement et l’industrie] are doing right now, with the militarization [du territoire wet’suwet’en]is to reinforce the idea that no matter what people are going to say, land exploitation is going to happensaid Chief Na’moks, even if it comes at the expense of nature – and not just Wet’suwet’en territory, contrary to what is claimed elected officials and industry representatives.

And that’s not the truth, [car] everyone can make a difference, and what I hope is that people speak up and do things that are in harmony with where we livehe continued.

We can tell the truth, and that will save this planet, rather than money, because greed is what destroys the Earthhe concluded.