Wet'suwet'en talks with government may be back on -- but Hereditary Chiefs refuse to ask others to stand down

 Na'moks, a spokesman for the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, holds a press conference in Smithers, B.C., Tuesday, Jan.7, 2020,. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amy Smart

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

Feb. 26, 2020

Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs said the meeting with Canada and BC, canceled hours ago because they refused to ask others to stand down, may be back on.

The government is now saying it was all a terrible miscommunication.

"A proposed meeting on Thursday between the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and provincial and federal government officials could be happening after all, the chiefs tell Global News.

Late Wednesday, Chief Na’Moks (John Risdale) said the meeting, which had been canceled hours earlier, was back on after hearing from the government that a 'terrible miscommunication' was to blame for scuttling the talks.

"I will question them on that tomorrow, to find out what their definition of a ‘miscommunication’ is, because we were very clear that we have more than a willingness to meet with them,” Na’Moks said.

Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs said the governments of Canada and B.C. canceled talks with them late today because Hereditary Chiefs refused to tell other Native Nations to stand down.

Wetsuweten Hereditary Chief Na'moks says governments canceled meetings with the Hereditary Chiefs at around 4:30PM today.

"We would not ask other nations and allies to step down so both Governments have walked away," he said. Na'moks said BC and Canada had asked "us to ask other nations and allies to step down."

"We live in a free country, we can't do that." Responding to questions, Na'moks said the Mohawks are free to make their own decisions. Listen here on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/i/status/1232830717131776000

Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chief Smogelgem said, "Discussions fell apart when we said that we will not tell other Nations what to do on their territories."