Wet'suwet'en Nation and the Pipeline - A Solution to the Protest/Conflict

The protests that are occurring in scattered parts of the country cannot, within themselves solve the problem. I think the protesters are demanding that the Canadian Government do something - but the government cannot. Even if the government withdrew its permission to build the pipeline - I suspect that the Coastal GasLink would sue the government for billions of dollars and win. I would really prefer it if my tax dollars did not go directly into a private company's coffers. I am not sure if all of those who are protesting would be prepared to pay any additional taxes to make up for the shortfall in the federal budget.

It may be somewhat paradoxical, but if we agree that the courts have the jurisdiction to decide the validity of Indigenous claims, then we must accept that that same court system has the right to impose limitations on those claims.

However, I wondered if there could be some way for the federal government to "encourage" Coastal GasLink (including giving them some money) to take a three-month hiatus from building its pipeline. This break would hopefully reduce tensions and allow time for the Wet'suwet'en Nation to resolve their internal conflicts as to who gets to make which decisions. Then, after the three months - regardless of the collective decision that is made -we all accept it and move on. If the pipeline does not get built - then the company and the nation that has rejected them can work something out.

It is none of my business - not is it any business of any protesters in central Canada - regardless of their ethnic roots, or the BC Teacher's Federation, or any other white-dominated group as to what happens within that territory. We do not get a say. In fact, outsiders trying to be supportive may, in the long run, only make harder for that community to find a consensus.

So rather than protesting for some nebulous outcome - perhaps we should be demanding that our government create the space needed for a community to address its concerns - without us sticking our noses into that process.