UFCW 1518 is committed to reconciliation and to being an ally to our First Nations members and communities. We support the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

As such we call upon government, Coastal Gaslink and the RCMP to respect Wet’suwet’en unextinguished inherent title and rights to their territory and not attempt to suppress or supersede those rights in any way.

We are deeply concerned that RCMP action at the Gidem’ten checkpoint, before the Unist’ot’en Healing Centre, interfered with the human rights of land defenders, invited supporters and the media, threatening foundational rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We call on government to ensure the protection of these rights going forward.

Recent activities have violated Wet’suwet’en law and jurisdiction, as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada Delgaamukw decision.  All government and corporate parties must work collaboratively and lawfully with Wet’suwet’en leadership to find a resolution according to the spirit of reconciliation.

UFCW 1518 represents 22,000 people working in the community health, retail and industrial food sectors, including many members who live in regions impacted by land claim disputes.