The Wet'suwet'en Stand Strong - The Land Is Still Protected
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- Published on Tuesday, 15 January 2019 12:50
- Written by editor
Wet'suwet'en Strength Inspires Global Solidarity
HEAL THE PEOPLE - DEFEND THE LAND
Dozens of Solidarity Actions Across Canada and Around the World
Halifax: Monday Jan. 14. Dozens of supporters shut down the city's main intersection as days of rolling solidarity actions kick-off on Mi'kmaq territory.
A Message From the Wet'suwet'en Access Point on Gidumt'en Territory
The World watched in horror as militarized RCMP descended onto unceded Wet'suwet'en territories on Monday January 7, 2019. Peaceful women and eldersw were faced with heavy assault rifles. Fourteen land defenders were arrested, including Gitdumt'en Caln spokesperson Molly Wickham.
The interim injunction was issues and RCMP militarized raid occurred BEFORE the named defendants and Wet'suwet'en Nation has even had chance to respond in court. They will be appearing in BC Supreme Court on January 31, 2019 to affirm Wet'suwet'en Rights and Title.
As the Unist'ot'en Camp says: "This fight is far from over. We paved the way with the Delgamuuk'w court case and the time has come for Delgamuuk'w II.
To see a full list of actions taking place see the Wet'suwet'en Support page.
"IT'S NOT OVER": FROM UNIST'OT'EN
The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs have by absolutely no means agreed to let the Coastal GasLink pipeline tear through our traditional territories.
On January 7th at the Gidumt’en access point, the RCMP used excessive and brutal force. We expected a large response, we did not expect a military level invasion where our unarmed women and elders were faced with automatic weapons and bulldozers.
While the chiefs have a responsibility to protect the land, they also have a duty to protect our land defenders. Our people faced an incredible risk of injury or death and that is not a risk we are willing to take for an interim injunction. The agreement we made allows Coastal GasLink to temporarily work behind the Unist’ot’en gate. This will continue to be a waste of their time and resources as they will not be building a pipeline in our traditional territory.
This injunction was against Warner Naziel, Freda Huson, and Jane and John Doe as individuals. Our efforts over the past month made the RCMP, Coastal GasLink, and the colonial governments recognize that this is not an issue of individual “protestors” but rather an issue of our house chiefs’ jurisdiction to make decisions on our own lands.
We have fought for many years to make this point by politely telling it like it is. Now, with the world watching, with our voices reverberating around the globe, we have turned the tables.
There can be no question now that this is an issue of Wet’suwet’en Rights and Title. We have demonstrated that this fight is about more than a pipeline; it is about the right of Indigenous peoples around the world to exercise Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.
We have the power to tell the governments of the world that enough is enough, rather than being plowed down by force today or tomorrow. We will use our voice to continue this battle by asserting our Rights and Title.
This week, the Canadian state laid siege to our land behind the smokescreen of “reconciliation.” We see through their attempts to further colonial violence and remove us from our territories. We remain undeterred, unafraid, and un-ceded.
This fight is far from over.
We paved the way with the Delgumuuk'w court case and the time has come for Delgumuuk'w II. We have never had the financial resources to challenge the colonial court system, due to the enormous price tag of an Aboriginal title case.
Who will stand with us to maure this pipeline does not go through?
Who will support our work to reclaim our territories and assert our right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent?
Who will insist that Indigenous peoples have the right to say NO to projects that inflict violence on our people and territories?
Donate to Unist’ot’en Camp: http://unistoten.camp/support-us/donate/
Donate to Unist'ot'en Camp Legal Fund: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/unistoten-camp-legal-fund
#Notrespass #Wedzinkwa #Wetsuwetenstrong
For reliable updates at any given time please bookmark the official Unist'ot'en Camp Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/unistoten/ or the Wet'suwet'ten Access Point on Gidumt'en Terriorty.
We call on all supporters of Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice to immediately contact the political leaders of Canada and the province of British Columbia. Demand they respect Wet'suwet'en jurisdiction in their territory.
Province of BC
Premier John Horgan
Phone: 250-387-1715
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Attorney General David Eby
Phone: 250-387-1866
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Honourable Michelle Mungall
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resurces
Phone: 250-953-0900
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Honourable George Heyman
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Phone: 250-387-1187
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Honourable Scott Fraser
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Phone: 250-953-4844
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Federal
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau -
Telephone: 613-992-4211
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Fax: 613-941-6900
(There has been a federal cabinet shuffle today. Minister's names and contact info will be updated in the next email bulletin.)
You can also contact your own local MLA, MPP, MNA or MP.
REINFORCEMENTS ARE STILL NEEDED ON THE FRONT-LINE! But....
It is standard practice for the RCMP to try to infiltrate agents and even provocateurs into movements they plan to suppress with force. It would be naïve to think they aren't doing so in this situation.
We therefore prefer volunteers at this critical time to either have previous experience at the Unist'ot'en Camp or be able to provide references from one or more persons who have been to the Camp or are well known within the movement.
If you meet that criteria and are physically fit for the hard work of supporting the camp and checkpoints (especially during the northern winter), prepared to commit at least two weeks or more and are prepared to work under the leadership and protocols of the Indigenous stewards of the Yintah then register HERE.
And thanks to those who stepped up with offers of transportation in response to our previous call-out. Vehicles are still needed so please register HERE.
We Want To Share With You Just A Sample of the Solidarity Actions and Statements That Have Flooded Social Media and the News This Past Week.
‘Youth says No!’ to attacks on Unist’ot’en: Vancouver Saturday Jan 13, 2019
Sacred Stone Stand With Unist’oten with LaDonna Brave Bull Allard and Unist'ote'n spokesperson Freda Huson
UBCIC president Stewart Phillip warns Premier John Horgan of "Battleground B.C."
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO -SIGN THE PLEDGE:
Join over 6500 organizations and individuals in signing the pledge in support of Unist’ot’en: https://goo.gl/forms/u5vVJbQQf0nHNghN2
