Coastal GasLink blockade participant recounts 'joyful' life at Wet'suwet'en camp

A woman who was arrested at a blockade of construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline told court Thursday that her time at the camp was "joyful."

Shaylynn Sampson, a Gitxsan woman with Wet'suwet'en family ties, was questioned by defence lawyer Frances Mahon about her time at the blockade and events after her arrest in November 2021. 

B.C. Supreme Court in Smithers is hearing an abuse of process application brought forward by Sampson, Sleydo' (Molly Wickham), and Corey Jocko. 

Justice Michael Tammen found the three guilty in January of criminal contempt of court for breaking a 2019 injunction against blocking work on the Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline. 

Coastal GasLink was building the 670-kilometre pipeline to carry natural gas across northern British Columbia to a terminal in Kitimat, B.C., for export to Asia. The company signed benefit agreements with 20 elected band councils along the project's route in 2018, but several Wet'suwet'en hereditary leaders refused to allow the pipeline to cross their territory.

The abuse of process application alleges that RCMP used excessive force while arresting the accused and that the group was treated unfairly while in custody.

It asks the judge to stay the criminal contempt of court charges or to reduce their sentences based on their treatment by police.

Sampson testified she moved to Coyote Camp — an area where blockade members were living— on Sept. 25, 2021. 

"When the police were not there, I found that space to be often joyful," said Sampson. 

She said there would be dance parties, ceremonies, laughter and community members and children would visit. 

Sampson said when RCMP would come to the camps, it felt like they were there to intimidate the group. 

Sampson said it was important for her to be at Coyote Camp because of a special relationship between the Gitxsan and the Wet'suwet'en, and particular ties between Sampson's house group and the Wet'suwet'en. 

Sampson said because of the cultural significance of the Widzin Kwha (Morice River) for salmon habitat and to her community down river, she felt it was important for her to stop the construction of the pipeline under the river. 

"It's the lifeblood that flows throughout nations all the way down into the ocean," said Sampson.