Coastal GasLink blockade participant recounts 'joyful' life at Wet'suwet'en camp
Shaylynn Sampson says police dropped her cedar headband on the ground
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.
Cultural items removed
Sampson was arrested at the tiny house at Coyote camp on Nov. 19, 2021. She was transported to the RCMP detachment in Houston, B.C., in a police vehicle along with Sleydo'.
She said she waited in a truck to be transported for "what felt like hours" in her winter clothing with the heat on, and feeling sick.
From Houston, she taken to the Smithers detachment for the night. The next day Sampson was moved to the Prince George detachment, where she said she was forced to hand over cultural items.
Video and audio was played in court of an interaction between Sampson and officers. Sampson was wearing a collar with white buttons and black fringe that went over her chest and shoulders and a cedar headband.
Sampson told the court she refused to remove them. She said they are items for protection and to remind her about her connection to community and the land.
The items were removed from Sampson and her cedar headband was passed around and dropped on the ground, which she said showed the disregard the officers had for her cultural items.
"It was just a moment that just broke my spirit the most during my time in custody," said Sampson.
Crown questions witness
On Friday during cross-examination, Crown lawyer Paul Battin suggested officers were not acting maliciously.
Battin asked if officers intentionally dropped her cedar headband.
Sampson said she found the whole interaction disrespectful, and that even though her headband was not physically damaged she feels it holds trauma and hasn't worn it since. Sampson said she still wears the collar she was asked to remove.
Video played in court showed Sampson telling officers at the time of her arrest that they were choking her and to get their hands off her regalia.
Battin argued officers would not be able to pull on her regalia, such as the collar taken from her later in custody, because she was wearing a winter coat overtop.
Sampson said her coat was unzipped and wouldn't have caused the choking sensation she felt when she made the comment.
Sampson and Sleydo' both testified this week that an RCMP officer in the truck taking them to Houston said, "last time you'll see that camp," while passing the Gidimt'en checkpoint.
Battin asked Sampson if she was sure that comment was directed to her and the others arrested and that the officer was not saying it to the other officer in the front of the vehicle.
Sampson said by the tone of the comment that she believed it was directed at herself and other people arrested.
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