Initial talks between the Wet含羞草研究社檚uwet含羞草研究社檈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含羞草研究社檚uwet含羞草研究社檈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含羞草研究社檙e optimistic about heading into Friday含羞草研究社檚 discussions.

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

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 not appropriate to talk about,含羞草研究社� Fraser said. 含羞草研究社淲e don含羞草研究社檛 want to jeopardize anything. We had a productive day today and hopefully a very solid day tomorrow.含羞草研究社�

Hereditary chief Na含羞草研究社檓oks, who含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社檚uwet含羞草研究社檈n traditional lands.

Na含羞草研究社檓oks said earlier today it含羞草研究社檚 still premature to speculate when the blockades will end.

含羞草研究社淢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.含羞草研究社�

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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.