Negotiations between islanders and the provincial government were underway Tuesday, with one meeting scheduled that afternoon.
A negotiating team from the islands made up of elected and hereditary leaders left for Vancouver over the last few days, where they planned to meet representatives from the provincial government.
"I can confirm, yes we are meeting with themÂ…," said Don McDonald, communications director for the Ministry of Forests. The provincial side is being lead by Jack Ebbels, former deputy minister of aboriginal affairs and currently head of the province's offshore oil and gas team.
The two sides are trying to negotiate an end to the protest, which began March 22, and which prevented more than 100 people from working on TFL 39.
What's up for discussion?, we asked Mr. McDonald. "What each of us wants to talk about," he said.
It's not clear how long the negotiations will go on. Details will be available on this website as soon as they are available.
Meanwhile, the Honna and Yakoun lines, which were taken down Friday (April 15) out of respect for several funerals over the weekend, will remain "soft" while negotiations continue. That means people can cross freely, and protesters won't stop and check anyone. However, protesters do remain at both sites, according to Irene Mills, CHN spokesperson.
The group from the islands includes Council of the Haida Nation president Guujaaw, CHN vice-president Arnie Bellis and Dale Lore, mayor of Port Clements.