IndigenousThree First Nations people sentenced last week in B.C. Supreme Court for breaking an injunction during Wet’suwet’en blockades say they are looking forward to rest and freedom now that court proceedings are over.Trio received suspended sentences Friday for breaking injunctionEdzi’u Loverin · CBC News · Posted: Oct 20, 2025 5:46 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoCorey Jocko, Sleydo’, and Shaylynn Sampson celebrate the end of court proceedings in Smithers, B.C., on Friday. (Jennifer Wickham)Three people sentenced last week in B.C. Supreme Court for breaking an injunction during the Wet’suwet’en blockades say they are looking forward to rest and freedom now that court proceedings are over.”For four years now, we’ve had harsh bail conditions that prevented us from being on the territories and practising our way of life,” said Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham), a wing chief of Cas Yikh, a house group of the Gidimt’en Clan of the Wet’suwet’en Nation.”I’m looking forward to the freedom to be on the yintah [land].”Sleydo’, Shaylynn Sampson, a Gitxsan woman with Wet’suwet’en family ties, and Corey Jocko, who is Kanien’kehá:ka from Akwesasne, were found guilty of criminal contempt of court in January last year for breaking an injunction against people blocking work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline in November 2021.On Friday in Smithers, B.C., the trio received suspended sentences and 150 hours of community service each.In his decision, Justice Michael Tammen said though he agreed with the Crown’s argument a custodial sentence should be given, he chose to suspend their sentences in order to advance reconciliation with Indigenous people. Tammen ruled in February that police had breached their Charter rights and that they would receive a reduction in their sentences because of that. Three defendants convicted of criminal contempt of court following November 2021 Wet’suwet’en blockade walk to the courthouse in Smithers, B.C., last week with supporters. (Peace Brigades International)”I think that it paves the way for Indigenous people to have their voices heard, to acknowledge that Indigenous law, and jurisdiction is relevant in all of these cases,” said Sleydo’.Jocko said taking action was worth the risk of jail time.“We were ready to go to prison for what we believed and what we knew was right and that was protecting this planet and the clean water and the future of all Indigenous rights, and human rights in general, in the future of this planet,” he said.Supporters in courtroomAmnesty International Canada said a custodial sentence, even a suspended one, is an affront to human rights.“The government of Canada and British Columbia should not be criminalizing Indigenous land defenders who are taking actions to defend their territory in line with their Indigenous and human race,” said Mary Kapron, a researcher at Amnesty International.Over 75 supporters, many from Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan communities, were in attendance during the sentencing arguments last week.Sampson said she was thankful “for all the work of our ancestors that have gotten us here … it was palpable the amount of power that was in that room.”“What we see is like, a clear shifting in tide, and what it means to be Indigenous people standing up for our lands and our rights, and upholding ancient relationships that predate colonization,” said Sampson.Sampson said she’s looking forward to rest for herself and the community.“This has taken a lot of resources from our people. It’s not just something that has impacted the three of us, but our entire community of people,” said Sampson. “I think for us to all get to take a step back and just rest and recover … is going to be huge for us.”Coastal GasLink did not respond to a request for comment by time of publishing.ABOUT THE AUTHOREdzi’u Loverin is graduate of CBC’s Indigenous Pathways Program and has reported in Vancouver and Winnipeg since 2024. Edzi’u is a member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and a registered member of the Tahltan Nation, but is currently based in xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ territories. You can email Edzi’u at edziu.loverin@cbc.ca with story ideas.
Wet’suwet’en blockade defendant says she welcomes freedom to be back on the land
