Local politicians met with two representatives from Premier Gordon Campbell's office on Monday morning (March 28).
Council of the Haida Nation president Guujaaw said the two reps wanted to talk about problems with the land use planning process and broader provincial issues as well as get an update about the protest action.
Jessica McDonald, deputy to the premier, and Allan Edzerza, special advisor on First Nations issues from the Tahltan Nation, met with eight members of the Haida Nation as well as mayors Dale Lore of Port Clements and Barry Pages of Masset, said hereditary Chief Iljawass of Old Massett, who attended the two and a half hour meeting in Skidegate on Monday.
"They were feeling around and wanting advice on how to react to the difficulties we've been in for so many years," Chief Iljawass said.
The meeting was scheduled several weeks ago, and went forward despite the blockade, said Deborah Bowman, communications director for the province. The meetings were positive and respectful, she said.
Mr. Lore said he was pleasantly surprised by the attitude of the officials from Victoria.
"It was completely different from meetings we've had previously with government," Mr. Lore said. "They listened, they heard, and we'll see what happens."