Manitoba grand chief says blockades could support pipeline protesters in U.S.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. - A Manitoba indigenous chief says there's a desire for action -- which could include blockades of Canadian pipelines and railways -- in support of a protest against a North Dakota pipeline project.
Grand Chief Terry Nelson of the Southern Chiefs Organization says chiefs and others attended a meeting Saturday at the Dakota Tipi First Nation near Portage la Prairie to discuss how to react if the U.S. government clears demonstrators from a camp occupied by the Dakota Access pipeline protesters.
Nelson says one option includes blocking access to pumping stations along a pipeline operated by Enbridge, which has plans to acquire a stake in the U.S. pipeline project.
After the meeting, Dakota Tipi members held a pipe ceremony on the Trans-Canada Highway near Portage la Prairie, Man., temporarily blocking a lane of traffic."
"Everything is on the table. And no question the commitment is there. And it will snowball across the rest of the country," Nelson said in an interview after the meeting on Saturday.
"The people were very clear they don't want to sit back and allow these things to happen. There was a lot of anger expressed there today."
"Nelson said there are a number of Enbridge pumping stations that protesters could target. He said if crews can't reach them, the pipeline has to be shut down.
Rail lines that carry bitumen could also be blocked, he said.
"If Enbridge is part of the killing of Dakota people down stateside, then they could become a target," Nelson said.
"These are Dakota people. Those are our relatives in Standing Rock."
Manitoba grand chief says blockades could support pipeline protesters in U.S. | CTV News
Somebody better nip this in the bud real fast.
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