Hazelton, B.C. – A six month blockade of the Gitxsan Treaty Society office has come to a peaceful conclusion.

 

The protest went up at the building in December of last year when news of an agreement between GTS Negotiator Elmer Derrick and Enbridge regarding the Northern Gateway project was announced. The Gitxsan later rejected the deal, but the protestors continued the blockade of the office over concerns about the financial dealings of the Treaty Society.

 

A news release issued by members of the Treaty Society says the RCMP were able to remove the blockade this morning without incident. Spokesperson Bev Clifton Percival says the GTS, as an act of goodwill, voluntarily submitted to an assessment of its books by independent federal auditors.

 

The outward conflict between blockaders of the Gitxsan Unity Movement and the Gitxsan Treaty Society may be resolved, but healing the rift within the Gitxsan may take some time.

 

“It is good to see common sense has finally prevailed. However we as Gitxsan know the solutions to the disagreements in our nation lie within ourselves,” says Wii Elast (Jim Angus). We need only look to our Ayookw and the feast hall to properly solve disputes. I look forward to bringing our people together to come to a consensus on how to move forward.”

 

The Gitxsan Unity members say that they have faith in the work of the auditors to account for where and how Gitxsan money has been spent and that authorities will hold those responsible to account.

A meeting of all Gitxsan to discuss issues and the dispute is in the works, but there is no date or time set yet.