Initial talks between the Wet香蕉视频直播檚uwet香蕉视频直播檈n hereditary chiefs and ministers from the provincial and federal governments have wrapped up for the day with plans to continue tomorrow.

Speaking to reporters outside the Office of the Wet香蕉视频直播檚uwet香蕉视频直播檈n in Smithers, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser said the mood in the room was positive and they香蕉视频直播檙e optimistic about heading into Friday香蕉视频直播檚 discussions.

Neither minister would comment on the groundwork laid today with the hereditary chiefs.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not appropriate to talk about,香蕉视频直播� Fraser said. 香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 want to jeopardize anything. We had a productive day today and hopefully a very solid day tomorrow.香蕉视频直播�

Hereditary chief Na香蕉视频直播檓oks, who香蕉视频直播檚 taken on the role of spokesperson for the chiefs, did not comment to the press.

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The meeting comes amid continuing protests and road and rail blockades across the country, including at the B.C. Legislature this week. The protests have been ongoing since early February in opposition to the Coastal GasLink (CGL), a 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline being built through Wet香蕉视频直播檚uwet香蕉视频直播檈n traditional lands.

Na香蕉视频直播檓oks said earlier today it香蕉视频直播檚 still premature to speculate when the blockades will end.

香蕉视频直播淢ost of them [supporters] are awaiting us to request it. If they see progress then things will quickly deescalate. We just ask that things remain peaceful.香蕉视频直播�

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Earlier today the RCMP announced they will cease patrols of the Morice West Service Road during the talks. CGL also announced a two-day pause on pre-construction of the pipeline in the Morice River area. These two conditions were critical for the hereditary chiefs to begin talks with the provincial and federal governments.

More to come.