Initial talks between the Wet害羞草研究所檚uwet害羞草研究所檈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害羞草研究所檚uwet害羞草研究所檈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害羞草研究所檙e optimistic about heading into Friday害羞草研究所檚 discussions.

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

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not appropriate to talk about,害羞草研究所� Fraser said. 害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 want to jeopardize anything. We had a productive day today and hopefully a very solid day tomorrow.害羞草研究所�

Hereditary chief Na害羞草研究所檓oks, who害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚uwet害羞草研究所檈n traditional lands.

Na害羞草研究所檓oks said earlier today it害羞草研究所檚 still premature to speculate when the blockades will end.

害羞草研究所淢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.害羞草研究所�

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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.