My prayers are being answered as Indigenous peoples in the lands called Canada and the United States are asserting their authority. It has long been clear to me that fossil fueled capitalism, which is responsible for the deepening environmental chaos, will not voluntarily stop the rape of Mother Earth.
There were numerous Indigenous led events related to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. My friends in Des Moines, Iowa, have a message related to Christopher Columbus.
Indigenous leaders released the following statement.
We will no longer allow the U.S. government to separate us from our relationship to the sacred knowledge of Mother Earth and all who depend on her. Her songs have no end, so we must continue the unfinished work of our ancestors who have walked on before us. Because of colonization, our mission has been passed on generation after generation- to protect the sacred. Just as those who walked before us, we continue their song and rise for our youth, for the land, and for the water. Politicians do not take care of us. Presidents will break their promises but Mother Earth has always given us what we need to thrive. We will not back down until our natural balance is restored.
For the land, for our waters, for our future– we must fight now so our young will thrive.
You can arrest us, tear gas us, poison us but there will always be more hearts to continue the song until we are all free.
The work to stop the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline on Wet’suwet’en lands continues. Investors in the pipeline are warned to stop funding genocide.
On October 17th, Lihkt’samisyu Chiefs Dsta’hyl and Tsebesa took action, decommissioning and seizing construction equipment by the Likht’samisyu Clan in accordance with its laws.
LIHT’SAMISYU TERRITORY – On October 17th, Lihkt’samisyu Chiefs Dsta’hyl and Tsebesa took action as Coastal Gaslink workers continued to trespass on Wet’suwet’en territory in violation of Wet’suwet’en laws and Canada’s own constitution. The Chiefs instructed Coastal Gaslink to remove all equipment from Lihkts’amisyu territory immediately, indicating that otherwise it would be decommissioned and seized by the Likht’samisyu Clan in accordance with its laws.
In Iowa we held our first vigil to support the Wet’suwet’en in February 2020.
Support for Wet’suwet’en peoples in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb 2020
Last week in Des Moines, after our food distribution work, some of my Mutual Aid friends showed their support for the Wet’suwet’en (using signs from last year’s vigil).
Des Moines, Iowa October 9, 2021
The Wet'suwet'en have called on their Allies across Turtle Island to stand with them. They need boots on the ground, people in the streets, folks amplifying on social media, wherever you are, whatever you can do can make a difference. pic.twitter.com/fuJnhD0c0J
Sleydo’ and our Haudenosaunee relatives discuss impacts of colonization, industry, RCMP and how we are painted by government and media to distract from our true goal of protecting our land and people. Indigenous people understand each other. We all face the same threats. It’s why we stand united with each other. For more information please go to yintahaccess.com Follow us on: Twitter @Gidimten FB @wetsuwetenstrong IG @yintah_access #AllOutForWedzinKwa
This first video is an update about what is happening now on the Wet’suwet’en territories.
The video at the end, INVASION, was released in November, 2019, and gives an excellent overview of the struggles of the Wet’suwet’en peoples to protect their land and water. The story is well told, but what really affected me were all the beautiful shots of that pristine land.
We’re occupying this space. People are going to be living here and it’ll be occupied from now on. This project is not a done deal. It’s only one third complete and most of that work is happening in other territories. The Wetsuweten have been resisting this project since day one and will continue to resist this project until it fails.
It’s time to end this once and for all because there’s no way that Wetsuweten are ever going to stand down. There’s no way that we’re ever going to move off of our territories and not be here and occupying them and not be utilizing our Wedzin Kwa, utilizing our territories the way that we’re supposed to be in the way that we have every right to.
So now is the time to let the investors know, let the people who are putting millions and billions of dollars into this project know that it’s going to fail. And let’s put it to rest once and for all because we’re not going anywhere. We’re digging in, the snow’s coming. We anticipated. You know that it’s going to get cold, things are going to get harder but we’re digging in. And this is our territory. This is Wedzin Kwa, the lifeline of our whole territory for all for us and all of our neighbors. And this is the stand that we’re taking, and the position that we’re taking, and we don’t give up.
Molly Wickham, Sleydo’
News Release
Indigenous Environmental Network
On the morning of September 25, 2021, the access road to Coastal GasLink’s (CGL’s) drill site at the Wedzin Kwa river was destroyed. Blockades have been set up and sites have been occupied, to stop the drilling under the sacred headwaters that nourish the Wet’suwet’en Yintah and all those within its catchment area. Cas Yikh and supporters have gained control of the area and refuse to allow this destruction to continue.
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs were denied access to their own lands, and there has been one arrest confirmed. The Hereditary Chiefs were read the injunction and threatened with arrest, but they held their ground. Despite heavy machinery and heavy Royal Canadian Mounted Police presence, our relatives and supporters are standing strong holding the line, and so far no more arrests have been confirmed. As of Sunday, September 26, the individual arrested has been released and the chiefs and supporters continue to hold the line and successfully hold off any work by Coastal GasLink.
Days ago, Coastal GasLink destroyed our ancient village site, Ts’elkay Kwe. When Gidimt’en Checkpoint spokesperson Sleydo’ attempted to monitor the Coastal GasLink archaeological team and contest the destruction of Wet’suwet’en cultural heritage, she was aggressively intimidated by Coastal GasLink security guards. Tensions have continued to rise on the Yintah as Coastal GasLink pushes a reckless and destructive construction schedule with the support of private security and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Now, Coastal GasLink is ready to begin drilling beneath our sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa. We know that this would be disastrous, not only for Wet’suwet’en people, but for all living beings supported by the Wedzin Kwa, and for the communities living downstream. Wedzin Kwa is a spawning ground for salmon and a critical source of pristine drinking water.
States Sleydo’, Gidimt’en Checkpoint Spokesperson:
“Our way of life is at risk. […] Wedzin Kwa [is the] the river that feeds all of Wet’suwet’en territory and gives life to our nation.”
Coastal Gaslink has been evicted from our territories by the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs who have full jurisdiction over Wet’suwet’en lands. Coastal GasLink is pushing through a 670-kilometer fracked gas pipeline, but under ‘Anuc niwh’it’en (Wet’suwet’en law) all five clans of the Wet’suwet’en have unanimously opposed all pipeline proposals and have not provided free, prior, and informed consent to Coastal Gaslink to do work on Wet’suwet’en lands.
As Coastal GasLink continues to trespass, we will do everything in our power to protect our waters and to uphold our laws. Gidimt’en Checkpoint has issued a call for support, asking people to travel to Cas Yikh territory to stand with them.
In this era of “reconciliation”, Indigenous land is still being taken at gunpoint. INVASION is a new film about the Unist’ot’en Camp, Gidimt’en checkpoint and the larger Wet’suwet’en Nation standing up to the Canadian government and corporations who continue colonial violence against Indigenous people.
The Unist’ot’en Camp has been a beacon of resistance for nearly 10 years. It is a healing space for Indigenous people and settlers alike, and an active example of decolonization. The violence, environmental destruction, and disregard for human rights following TC Energy (formerly TransCanada) / Coastal GasLink’s interim injunction has been devastating to bear, but this fight is far from over.
Following are suggested questions for discussion after seeing the film. The questions can, of course, be used for that lands you live on.
What is the colonial history of this region? Who occupied these lands before the establishment of the current borders & national government?
What does anti-colonial struggle look like in this area? Are there any active anti-colonial struggles going on?
What projects are people in this room currently engaged with that could benefit from applying more of an anti-colonial lens? What would this actually look like in practice… aside from just token acknowledgement?
What are some of the practical things that non-Indigenous activists should know about when working with Indigenous groups, or in Indigenous-led campaigns?
What financial institutions, politicians, or corporations based in your community are supporting the destruction of Wet’suwet’en lands?
What are some ways of demonstrating material support for the Unis’tot’en and Wet’suwet’en? How can you support Wet’suwet’en sovereignty from your stand?
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples delineates and defines the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples, including their ownership rights to cultural and ceremonial expression, identity, language, employment, health, education and other issues. It “emphasizes the rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions, and to pursue their development in keeping with their own needs and aspirations”. It “prohibits discrimination against indigenous peoples”, and it “promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them and their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own visions of economic and social development”.
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Article 10 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states: Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed from their lands or territories. No relocation shall take place without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned and after agreement on just and fair compensation and, where possible, with the option of return.
Pam Palmater tweeted this episode of Warrior Life Podcast today. She says this podcast is a response to the call for Wet’suwet’en solidarity. Doing her part to help amplify Wet’suwet’en voices about violent RCMP actions happening right now and how we can help.
She was not able to conduct a face-to-face interview with Gidimt’en spokesperson, Molly Wickham – Sledo. So, she sent a series of questions to Sledo, who recorded her answers to them. The result is a powerful picture of what happened to the Wet’suwet’en in the past, and why it is so important to continue. “I want people to know we have a responsibility to be here doing this work.”
In Episode 111 of Warrior Life Podcast, we hear from Molly Wickham – Sleydo – a Gidimt’en clan member and spokesperson protecting Wet’suwet’en Nation lands and waters from destruction by Coastal Gaslink pipeline. She and other clan members have called for a week of action in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en on Oct.9-15, 2021. This podcast is a respond to that call, doing my part to help amplify Wet’suwet’en voices about violent RCMP actions happening right now and how we can help.
Originally tweeted by Pam Palmater (@Pam_Palmater) on October 13, 2021.
I want people to know we have a responsibility to be here doing this work. I want people to know that the only violence that happens here on our territories is at the hands of the state and at the hands of the RCMP, at the hands of the people that are directing the RCMP to bring violence into our communities, to criminalize us, to harass us, to surveil us, to jail us, and essentially to commit genocide. You know if we don’t have our land, if we don’t have our water, if we don’t have a future, our people aren’t going to want to live.
There’s so much at stake and there are so many repercussions of the devastation of our lands and our access to our lands that have that there are on our people that may not seem blatant to the naked eye but if you look deeper and if you think about who we are and our identities as indigenous people, it is tied to our land, it’s tied to our water, it is tied to the fact that we harvest salmon every year and we get together as families and that helps create a sense, a strong sense of identity and a strong sense of who we are. And we know that the people who are killing themselves are the people that don’t have that connection to who they are as an indigenous person, that don’t have the connection to their land, the people that are lost out in the world, the people who are out on the streets, the children that are taken away from their families all relates back to a strong sense of connection belonging and identity as an indigenous person and if we don’t have that our people will die and that’s the genocide.
Molly Wickham – Sleydo
Following is solidarity action for the Wet’suwet’en by the Haudenosaunee .
Gidimt’en Checkpoint Yesterday at 3:20 PM
Haudenosaunee kick out RCMP out of the yintah
“You can’t push the Wet’suwet’en around!” and “This is Chief Woos’ territory!” can be heard as our Haudenosaunee relatives send the RCMP retreating from their daily harassment patrol at Coyote Camp.
We are so honoured to have our relatives here answer the call. To stand with us against colonial greed and corruption. The Six Nations Confederacy and the Wet’suwet’en have familial ties and children who’s futures we are fighting for together.
“We can hear their war cries. Which is a beautiful sound. The allyship is beautiful.” -Sleydo’
#AllOutforWedzinKwa #WeAreAllOne Skyler Williams Geordon L. Staats
It is such a dichotomy to witness the ongoing invasion of the Wet’suwet’en peoples’ lands by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Coastal Gaslink while truth and reconciliation efforts are supposed to be happening in the lands called Canada and the United States. Even during the observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the United States. A dichotomy Indigenous peoples have faced since the appearance of settlers on their lands.
Two days ago, Gidimt’en spokesperson Sleydo’ sent the following message:
All of our warriors who have stood up for Indigenous rights, we need you now. We are calling on you to stand up and say the genocide will no longer happen on Indigenous lands.
We are calling on you to stand up and say the genocide will no longer happen on Indigenous lands.
Sleydo’
The latest update fortunately is there is a temporary reprieve, the RCMP have left Coyote Camp.
Students @CMCnews are agitated and upset about @CoastalGasLink investors @KKR_Co and CMC trustees/KKR CEOs/founders Henry Kravis and George Roberts who have the authority to STOP CGL but wont without MASS PRESSURE.
Today is Indigenous Peoples Day. Across the country, a growing number of cities and states are recognizing this day in place of the traditional Columbus Day. This change reflects the growing awareness that holidays like Columbus Day are used to rewrite the past and uphold institutions of white supremacy, racism and settler colonialism. As Justin Teba writes, in Albuquerque, they issued a proclamation to recognize this as a day “to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples on this land.”
I can only write from the perspective of a settler, but I do want to highlight a few of the current struggles. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves about the history of the founding of the United States, to join in struggle with those who are oppressed and to transform our society to end these devastating institutions.
Increased attention to the finding of children’s graves at residential boarding schools has brought the reality of the American Genocide to the forefront. Residential boarding schools for indigenous children started in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as a way to erase indigenous knowledge and culture. These were brutal places where children were killed through violence and neglect. The last schools closed in the 1990’s so there are still survivors who are speaking out about their experiences.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY REMINDS US TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT INDIGENOUS STRUGGLES By Margaret Flowers, Popular Resistance, October 11, 2021
I first learned about the Wet’suwet’en peoples in British Columbia when I saw this YouTube video, Coastal Gaslink Evicted from Unist’ot’en Territory, January 5, 2020. Having worked so hard to protect water from the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, I was amazed to see this peaceful eviction of a pipeline company.
From that day I closely followed any news I could find about the Wet’suwet’en peoples. Not surprisingly there was almost nothing in the mainstream news. As a result, people involved in the conflicts continually asked us to use social media to spread the news of what was happening there. I try to do that as much as I can. I was in contact with those at the scene to send them news of what we were doing in Iowa. And validate what I was hearing from other sources.
February 8, 2020 “We need you.”
All eyes needed! One of the most important Indigenous movements is under attack right now for attempting to protect their land from a gas pipeline. With the second day of heavily armed Royal Canadian Mounted Police raids underway at #Wetsuweten watch camps in Nothern British Columbia, thousands of people across so-called Canada are throwing down right now. This international human rights violation must be stopped. Stand in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en. http://unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/?
“We make conscious decisions to either sit back and watch or stand up and be heard. We make choices as to whether protect our future generations, or we allow for a destitute future for them. We make choices as to enter the uncomfortable place of change & movement, or we continue on this downward spiral. What will your choice be? Will you sit back and allow for human rights violations to occur, or will you #RiseUp with us?” Wet’suwete’n Access Point at Gidemt’en
We are concerned about the tensions involving the Wet’suwet’en Peoples, who are working to protect their water and lands in British Columbia. Most recently they are working to prevent the construction of several pipelines through their territory. Such construction would do severe damage to the land, water, and living beings. Bear Creek Friends Meeting
Several of us gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for a vigil in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en peoples. Our friends at Bold Iowa and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI) helped notify people about our vigil. We didn’t think many people would join us. But we know it is not the number of people, just that there are people publicly supporting the Wet’suwet’en. You never know what the people driving past might think or do. A sign displaying simply “Wet’suwet’en” might make some curious enough to look into this. Raising awareness and supporting each other is good. Each of us at the vigil drew strength from each other. As it says above, “what will your choice be?” Will you gather with a few friends and your signs to stand on a street corner in your town?
Fortunately, Ronnie James, who has become a good friend, came to the vigil. I learned Ronnie had years of experience as an Indigenous organizer. He is part of the Great Plains Action Society, and his focus is on Mutual Aid. One of the organizing skills he taught me was to attend events related to our work to meet new people to work with. I believe this was a spirit led connection. Not only would I have missed getting to know Ronnie and those he works with, but I might not have learned about Mutual Aid.
Ronnie has patiently taught me about his work and Mutual Aid since that meeting. I learned about the free food distribution project, which I was surprised to learn had been in operation since the Panther’s Free school breakfast program began in the early 1970’s.
So I work with a dope crew called Des Moines Mutual Aid, and on Saturday mornings we do a food giveaway program that was started by the Panthers as their free breakfast program and has carried on to this day. Anyways, brag, brag, blah, blah.
So I get to work and I need to call my boss, who is also a very good old friend, because there is network issues. He remembers and asks about the food giveaway which is cool and I tell him blah blah it went really well. And then he’s like, “hey, if no one tells you, I’m very proud of what you do for the community” and I’m like “hold on hold on. Just realize that everything I do is to further the replacing of the state and destroying western civilization and any remnants of it for future generations.” He says “I know and love that. Carry on.”
Ronnie James
I was fascinated with this work. Not only the projects themselves, but how the Mutual Aid model was used. One of the key aspects of Mutual Aid is working to ensure a horizontal or flat hierarchy, where each person has a voice, is maintained. As opposed to the vertical hierarchies that organize the vast majority of organizations. If there is no vertical hierarchy, there can be no superiority.
There are significantly increasing tensions now between the Wet’suwet’en peoples and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. All signs indicate another invasion of the Wet’suwet’en territory by the RCMP. The Wet’suwet’en people are asking for our support now. (CGL is Coastal GasLink pipeline).
Gidimt’en Occupation of CGL Drill Site Continues! Callout for Week of Action 10/9-10/15
Cas Yikh of the Gidimt’en Clan are counting on supporters to go ALL OUT in a mobilization for the biggest battle yet to protect our sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa. We have remained steadfast in our fight for self-determination, and we are still unceded, undefeated, sovereign and victorious.
We are humbled by the power of our allies, friends and supporters. We have love, respect, and gratitude for those that stood their ground beside us on the yintah to defend Wedzin Kwa. We vow to reciprocate the solidarity from everyone that followed, all our allies/relatives and supporters that put their feet in the street defending Indigenous sovereignty.
Now, we need you to rise up again.
October 9th-15th 2021, go #AllOutForWedzinKwa.
Learning of these new tensions, I thought we should have another vigil in support of the Wet’suwet’en. I know Ronnie is extremely busy now, but I asked him whether those of us who gather every Saturday morning for the Mutual Aid food project might show public support, as he and I did in early 2020.
He agreed he was busy, but he would meet to support the Wet’suwet’en peoples again if I was willing to organize it. He said I could ask the others at the food project if they would be interested.
This is an example of how Mutual Aid works. Without a vertical hierarchy, there wasn’t a ‘leader’ who needed to approve such a gathering. It was up to me to organize and invite others.
When I arrived at Mutual Aid yesterday morning, Ronnie asked if I had brought the Wet’suwet’en signs that we had made for the 2020 vigil, and I had. Then as distributing the food was winding down, he suggested I tell the others about the Wet’suwet’en and invite those willing to stay so we could get a photo showing our support. Again, he didn’t tell me what to do, but offered the suggestion. So, I announced the photo shoot and asked anyone interested to stay for that. I was grateful to those who did.
My friends avoid photos because their activism sometimes brings police attention. As usually happens, activists are involved in many different issues. There were arrests last year during the unrest related to George Floyd and police violence. But we have not stopped having our own mask mandate, so that worked out well for the photos.
I brought poster boards and markers because Jack, five years old, nearly always comes to the food project with his mother. And is the life of the party! I know he really likes to draw. So I ask Jack (and his mother) if he wanted to make a sign, which you can see on the far right in the photos.
This is the completion of a circle that began with signs and meeting Ronnie in early 2020, and comes around to using the same signs, with Ronnie and others, yesterday. With a lot of work in between. I believe we will continue to move along the circle.
The following video showing the CIRG (Community-Industry Response Group) is very disturbing. All signs indicate yet another invasion of Wet’suwet’en lands.
The CIRG (Community-Industry Response Group) have been into Coyote Camp everyday. Yesterday they came in and were violent towards our Yintah security, joked about genocide and that they can’t wait to see it on social media.
We also have reports from the ground that the officers are hiding their identities, not showing or giving badge numbers and from the video we can see are not wearing masks or practicing social distancing.
They are blatantly threatening violence against our people and clearly do not care who sees or knows. They relish it. This is what these CIRG officers live for. Remember they applied to be a part of this group specifically designed to remove Indigenous people out of the way of industry. The same group that are invading at Fairy Creek and Tiny House Warriors frontlines.
Tomorrow is day one of the call out for a week of Solidarity Action! Please organize where you are, come to camp, make noise and raise hell!
RCMP have been coming into Coyote Camp daily for the past few days. Yesterday they came in, joked about genocide & how they can’t wait to see it all on social media.
Gidimt’en Occupation of CGL Drill Site Continues! Callout for Week of Action 10/9-10/15
Cas Yikh of the Gidimt’en Clan are counting on supporters to go ALL OUT in a mobilization for the biggest battle yet to protect our sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa. We have remained steadfast in our fight for self-determination, and we are still unceded, undefeated, sovereign and victorious.
We are humbled by the power of our allies, friends and supporters. We have love, respect, and gratitude for those that stood their ground beside us on the yintah to defend Wedzin Kwa. We vow to reciprocate the solidarity from everyone that followed, all our allies/relatives and supporters that put their feet in the street defending Indigenous sovereignty.
Update from Chief Woos posted on Yintah Access Instagram Yesterday
“Dinï ze’ Woos ceremonially welcomes supporters at “Coyote Camp” and speaks of the history of this territory. Our people have been protecting our territory and children for thousands of years. We are stronger than CGL and the RCMP. We have our ancestors with us, the yintah, and Wedzin Kwa support us. “There might be momements where you will be feeling a lot of fear because these people will be coming with guns pointed at you. But always remember our ancestors will be standing right beside you.” -Dini ze’ Woos We are ready. We ask you to join us. For more info go to yintahaccess.com Organize. Resist. Win. #AllOutForWedzinKwa
For over 50 years, Wet’suwet’en children were taken from the land, from their families, and from Wedzin Kwa to attend residential schools. These “schools” were not to empower us, but to take the Indian, to take the Wet’suwet’en, out of the child. Many did not return and those who survived have fought for our right to all that we had been robbed of – land, language, culture, pride. Today, we continue to face state violence from governments and industry who still want our land to themselves. Their plans to eradicate us however, have failed and we are still here!
Every day we remember. We carry that pain, that strength, and we work to rebuild our pride, to rebuild our nations and reconnect with our lands.
On September 30th, we came together in a day of remembrance to honour the children, to remind ourselves that we will never give up/be defeated.”
Coastal Gaslink is preparing to drill under the Wedzin Kwa to construct their 670km fracked gas pipeline. We know this would be disastrous, not only for Wet’suwet’en people, but for all living beings supported by the Wedzin Kwa, and for the communities living downstream. Wedzin Kwa is a spawning ground for salmon and a critical source of pristine drinking water on the territory.
Wet’suwet’en members, including Freda Huson of Unist’ot’en, have been tirelessly working to maintain their access and jurisdiction to their territories for the last decade. The fight to save this river has been long and nuanced, with many wins and losses over the years. Many pipeline companies have sought to drill under these waters, and have used many colonial tactics of intimidation and violence against Wet’suwet’en people and supporters to wear us down. Yet the river still runs clean, and Wet’suwet’en still remain strong. This fight is far from over.
On the morning of September 25th, 2021, the access road to CGL’s drill site was destroyed. Blockades were set up and the site has been occupied to stop the drilling of these sacred headwaters that nourish the Yintah and all those within its catchment areas. Cas Yikh and supporters have taken control of the area and refuse to allow this destruction to continue.
We anticipate enforcement possibly this week. We encourage everyone to come out and show support at Coyote Camp and by taking action where you stand. Together we will win.
#AllOutForWedzinKwa For the past 11 days, Wet’suwet’en members of Cas Yikh and their supporters have taken control of a Coastal GasLink drill site on unceded Cas Yikh (Grizzly House) territory belonging to the Gidimt’en clan of the Wet’suwet’en people. We are defending culturally significant archeological sites and the sacred headwaters of the Wedzin Kwa from destruction.
In response, the RCMP has utilized excessive use of force and torturous pain compliance on land defenders, and more RCMP enforcement is expected
Now, Cas Yikh of the Gidimt’en Clan are counting on supporters to go ALL OUT in a mobilization for the biggest battle yet to protect our sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa. We have remained steadfast in our fight for self-determination, and we are still unceded, undefeated, sovereign and victorious.
From October 9th-15th 2021, go #AllOutForWedzinKwa
*************************** SOLIDARITY ACTIONS: Don’t see one where you are? Organize one and post the link in the discussion, we will add it here. *************************** __________________________
In January 2019, when Gidimt’en Checkpoint was raided by the RCMP, enforcing an injunction for Coastal GasLink fracked gas pipeline, your communities rose up in solidarity!
You organized rallies and marches. You published Solidarity Statements. You wrote your representatives. You put on fundraisers and donated to the legal fund. You pledged to stand by the Wet’suwet’en. The pressure worked to keep Wet’suwet’en land defenders and supporters safe as they navigated the colonial court system. All charges were dropped.
In January 2020, you answered the call to #SHUTDOWNCANADA with over 200 actions and rallies! The world watched as the RCMP violently confronted unarmed Wet’suwet’en land defenders, on behalf of CGL, in an intense 6-day struggle for control over the territory, following industry’s eviction by Hereditary Chiefs.
This invasion ignited a storm of solidarity! The Wet’suwet’en were embraced in beautiful and powerful actions coast to coast and overseas. From January to March 2020, thousands of people rose up in hundreds of demonstrations in solidarity with Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection against the fracked gas industry.
During a wave of international uprisings, Canada came under fire for its refusal to engage in meaningful Free, Prior and Informed Consent with Indigenous Nations across Turtle Island. Canada’s denial of responsibility and failure to implement the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples resulted in the fight for #LANDBACK.
We are humbled by the power of our allies, friends and supporters. We have love, respect, and gratitude for those that stood their ground beside us on the yintah to defend Wedzin Kwa. We vow to reciprocate the solidarity from everyone that followed, all our allies/relatives and supporters that put their feet in the street defending Indigenous sovereignty.
Now, we need you to rise up again. October 9th-15th 2021, go #AllOutForWedzinKwa
I first heard of the Wet’suwet’en peoples and their struggle to prevent the construction of the Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline through their pristine land in January 2020. What caught my attention was the following video, “Coastal Gaslink Evicted from Unist’ot’en territory.” Having been engaged with protecting water from the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines for years, I was amazed at the peaceful eviction of CGL workers from Wet’suwet’en territories, temporary as it turned out to be.
Unfortunately, the interactions between the Wet’suwet’en and the Canadian government have not been peaceful. There have been many conflicts and arrests of Wet’suwet’en people by militarized Royal Canadian Mounted Police. There are heightened tensions now as construction of CGL has reached the point of drilling under the sacred headwaters of the Wedzin Kwa river.
Under ‘Anuc niwh’it’en (Wet’suwet’en law) all Hereditary Chiefs of the five clans of the Wet’suwet’en have unanimously opposed all pipeline proposals and have not provided free, prior, and informed consent to Coastal Gaslink to drill on Wet’suwet’en lands.
Over the past week, as Wet’suwet’en members of Cas Yikh and their supporters maintain control of a Coastal GasLink drill site that threatens their unceded territories, the RCMP has utilized excessive use of force and torturous pain compliance on land defenders.
Gidimt’en chiefs and supporters have been defending a number of culturally significant archeological sites and the sacred headwaters of the Wedzin Kwa from destruction on unceded Cas Yikh (Grizzly House) territory belonging to the Gidimt’en clan of the Wet’suwet’en people.
Wet’suwet’en Resistance to CGL Pipeline Occupation 2021: What Is Happening at Gidimt’en Checkpoint? A Recap of Events from Wet’suwet’en Territory This Week, Oct 4, 2021
What can I do?
Last year, the Wet’suwet’en and our allies saw a massive resurgence of solidarity and support in the #SHUTDOWNCANADA movement. Inspired by the recognition and belief in Indigenous Sovereignty and jurisdiction over their territories, many people rose up together and demonstrated a serious rejection to Canada’s agenda of land theft and genocide against Indigenous Peoples.
This year, we must go #AllOutForWedzinKwa !
The time is now to return our energy to this movement after the long slow pain of the past few isolating years. The river is imminently under threat, and the people on the ground in this remote community need your engagement, action and support.
⭐ Find or host a solidarity rally near you. Consider hosting a rally at the site of a regulating, insurance or investment office to send a direct message to those permitting and backing this project that Coastal Gaslink for trespassing on Wet’suwet’en lands and will not go through.
⭐ Pressure the government : call the BC Oil and Gas Commission,, the Ministry of Forests,and the Environmental Assessment office
Come to the land: 
LANDBACK Friends 