The Manitoba Metis Federation is taking a stand on the Wet'suwet'en blockades, saying they cannot endorse the protestors who have blocked rail traffic in parts of the country for more than two weeks.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, MMF said they felt compelled to respond "as the escalation of this conflict and immediate impacts are far-reaching and now affect every corner of our country."

"Now is the time to ask ourselves: when will this stop? Will it be if a life is lost or illness worsened because of these protests and barricades? This will be on protesters' shoulders to bear," the statement said.

"Peaceful resolution is paramount. Compassion is vital on both sides."

MMF said that while there is clearly an internal conflict between the elected First Nation Chief and council and some of the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en territory, they feel the protestors are not respecting the roles and responsibilities of the elected Indigenous government.

"These 'activists' can walk away and never look back, while the elected leadership can't — because they must be accountable to those they represent," the statement said.

On Friday morning, Manitoba's Southern Chiefs Organization held a press conference on the Wet'suwet'en blockades, saying the true blockade in Canada is against Indigenous economies, and that the role of the hereditary chiefs must be respected.