Canada police begin clearing Wet’suwet’en land defender camps
Wet’suwet’en Nation leaders say they never consented to Coastal GasLink pipeline project in British Columbia.
Canada police begin clearing Wet'suwet'en land defender camps
- Thread starter iamthatis
- Start date
The Canadian RCMP have raided a camp of Indigenous peoples and their supporters, enforcing a court injunction on behalf of Coastal Gas Link. The camp itself was intentionally built in the path of some 11 planned pipelines that seek to funnel Alberta tar sands oil and fracked gas from BCs northern gas fields to an as-yet unconstructed terminal in Kitimat, BC. The Wetsuweten people have built, among other things, a healing centre for their people to attempt to heal from the affects of Canadian colonialism, in the path of these pipelines - all to protect their water, and the land where they live, hunt, trap, and practice their culture.
This could have wide-ranging ripple effects in the days, and perhaps months, to come. Already, as stated in the article, two minister's offices have been occupied, and one Vancouver port has been targeted by protesters. It's unclear if this will be a 'yellow-vest' moment, as much of the Canadian populace is happy to watch hockey-and-beer themselves into an apathetic stupor. In BC, it could be that this instance of the courts favouring a large energy corporation over the ability of Native folks to live unmolested may be a tipping point for the various austerity-caused angsts that some BC residents feel - the high rents, high food cost, high tuition, cuts to disability services and health care, etc., that were ushered over the past decades. The BC NDP government, self-styled as social democrats, will have a sector of angry populace on their hands - in particular, to my best guess, the growing population of educated, young Natives who may not let this slide so easily.
I think it'd be good on SOTT.
This could have wide-ranging ripple effects in the days, and perhaps months, to come. Already, as stated in the article, two minister's offices have been occupied, and one Vancouver port has been targeted by protesters. It's unclear if this will be a 'yellow-vest' moment, as much of the Canadian populace is happy to watch hockey-and-beer themselves into an apathetic stupor. In BC, it could be that this instance of the courts favouring a large energy corporation over the ability of Native folks to live unmolested may be a tipping point for the various austerity-caused angsts that some BC residents feel - the high rents, high food cost, high tuition, cuts to disability services and health care, etc., that were ushered over the past decades. The BC NDP government, self-styled as social democrats, will have a sector of angry populace on their hands - in particular, to my best guess, the growing population of educated, young Natives who may not let this slide so easily.
I think it'd be good on SOTT.
Updates:
-Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and supporters have been blockading the rail line in New Hazelton for over 24 hours and are expecting a police presence early tomorrow morning. They're calling for supporters to join them as early as possible in the morning
-Wet'suwet'en and supporters have been gathering at the edge of the illegal RCMP exclusion zone at 4 KM on the Morice River Forest Service Road outside of Houston as police (who have made numerous arrests) advance on Wet'suwet'en matriarchs at the Unist'ot'en camp (as of Sunday night)
-Mohawks who have been stopping all rail traffic between Toronto and Ottowa for over three days are holding the line and burned the injunction that was served to them today
-People are continue to gather at the Port of Vancouver blockade as police presence grows
A voice from the port of Van: "We are strategically not leaving this unceded land just as the Gitxsan are not leaving, and the Mohawk are not leaving, and the Wet'suwet'en are not leaving!"
-Indigenous youth in Winnipeg have been occupying federal Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal's office for numerous days. Michelle Mungall, BC Minister for Jobs, Economic Development and Competetiveness, has also had her office occupied by Native youth with a coherent list of demands:
We, Indigenous youth, stand in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Nation in defending their unceded territory from Coastal GasLink. We are Indigenous youth of
Nuuchahnulth, Tla’amin, Sto:lo, Namgis, Heiltsuk, Lil’wat, Xwlemi, Qayqayt, Lue Chogh Tue, Shishalh and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations occupying Michelle Mungall’s political office to encourage you to stand by Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs representing all five clans of the Wet’suwet’en Nation in opposition to Coastal GasLink. Coastal GasLink (CGL) has never obtained free, prior, and informed consent to operate within unceded Wet’suwet’en territories. The decision from the BC Supreme Court to extend CGL’s injunction order is a criminalization of
Wet’suwet’en law and directly violates their constitutionally protected rights to occupy their own unceded lands, as articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). CGL has enacted irreparable violence upon Wet’suwet’en territories through the destruction of archeological sites, hunting areas, and traplines, as well as brutalization of Indigenous land
defenders by RCMP exercising lethal overwatch. The Wet’suwet’en and
supporters continue to peacefully observe and respect ancestral laws that have
governed them since time immemorial to protect their lands, waters, and climate
for future generations. British Columbia, Canada, and the RCMP’s shameful
response, including assault rifles, military level invasion, criminalization, and
unlawful injunctions is unconstitutional. As Indigenous youth we stand with
Wet’suwet’en assertion of sovereignty because we understand that Indigenous
peoples will cease to exist without our land; our languages, cultures, and future
generations cannot survive without it. Indigenous youth are not only inheriting
a climate crisis driven by fossil fuel projects like CGL, but Canada’s
legacy of colonization, genocide, and gendered violence against Indigenous
women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. In protecting the lands from industrial
development, we are protecting our bodies from violence. As Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, we urge you to be responsible to our future and the future of our traditional territories. 75% of global mining companies are headquartered in Canada. While the Canadian government opens the door for multinational corporations to capitalize upon Indigenous lands, both internationally and within Canada, it is Indigenous youth who will suffer the consequences. Multibillion dollar fossil fuel projects are paid for with our lands, lives, and futures. The Canadian government’s failure to uphold Indigenous consent in the interest of furthering CGL is a continuation of Canada’s warfare against Indigenous lands globally. Canadian politicians can no longer perpetuate Canada’s shameful status quo in relation to Indigenous
rights.
We call upon you to do all you can in opposing CGL and the harm it will bring
to the people and the land. The Canadian government’s narratives of reconciliation and climate leadership become moot while simultaneously using lethal force to push a pipeline through Indigenous lands against the collective will of the hereditary leadership. Indigenous peoples defending their lands from destruction are not criminal or disposable. As Indigenous youth, we urge you to uphold Indigenous rights and Wet’suwet’en law by advocating for the removal of
CGL and RCMP from Wet’suwet’en territories. British Columbia has recently
commited to implement UNDRIP and follow free, prior, and informed consent.
The world is watching to see how you will respond.
Our demands as Indigenous youth in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en are as
follows:
1. That you do everything within your power as a Canadian politician to ensure that the following demands of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are met:
a) That the province cease construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline project and suspend permits.
b) That the UNDRIP and our right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)
are respected by the state and RCMP.
c) That the RCMP and associated security and policing services be withdrawn from Wet’suwet’en lands, in agreement with the most recent letter provided by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s (CERD) request.
d) That the provincial and federal government, RCMP and private industry
employed by CGL respect our laws and our governance system, and refrain from using any force to access our lands or remove our people
2. That the BC Premier and relevant Ministers meet with Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs to receive and adhere to these demands. Until Canada demonstrates commitment to UNDRIP by meeting the demands of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, we will continue to occupy your political offices. We will do everything within our power to protect our future and
Wet’suwet’en lands from destruction. It’s time for you to do the same.
Indigneous Youth in Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en
-Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and supporters have been blockading the rail line in New Hazelton for over 24 hours and are expecting a police presence early tomorrow morning. They're calling for supporters to join them as early as possible in the morning
-Wet'suwet'en and supporters have been gathering at the edge of the illegal RCMP exclusion zone at 4 KM on the Morice River Forest Service Road outside of Houston as police (who have made numerous arrests) advance on Wet'suwet'en matriarchs at the Unist'ot'en camp (as of Sunday night)
-Mohawks who have been stopping all rail traffic between Toronto and Ottowa for over three days are holding the line and burned the injunction that was served to them today
-People are continue to gather at the Port of Vancouver blockade as police presence grows
A voice from the port of Van: "We are strategically not leaving this unceded land just as the Gitxsan are not leaving, and the Mohawk are not leaving, and the Wet'suwet'en are not leaving!"
-Indigenous youth in Winnipeg have been occupying federal Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal's office for numerous days. Michelle Mungall, BC Minister for Jobs, Economic Development and Competetiveness, has also had her office occupied by Native youth with a coherent list of demands:
We, Indigenous youth, stand in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Nation in defending their unceded territory from Coastal GasLink. We are Indigenous youth of
Nuuchahnulth, Tla’amin, Sto:lo, Namgis, Heiltsuk, Lil’wat, Xwlemi, Qayqayt, Lue Chogh Tue, Shishalh and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations occupying Michelle Mungall’s political office to encourage you to stand by Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs representing all five clans of the Wet’suwet’en Nation in opposition to Coastal GasLink. Coastal GasLink (CGL) has never obtained free, prior, and informed consent to operate within unceded Wet’suwet’en territories. The decision from the BC Supreme Court to extend CGL’s injunction order is a criminalization of
Wet’suwet’en law and directly violates their constitutionally protected rights to occupy their own unceded lands, as articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). CGL has enacted irreparable violence upon Wet’suwet’en territories through the destruction of archeological sites, hunting areas, and traplines, as well as brutalization of Indigenous land
defenders by RCMP exercising lethal overwatch. The Wet’suwet’en and
supporters continue to peacefully observe and respect ancestral laws that have
governed them since time immemorial to protect their lands, waters, and climate
for future generations. British Columbia, Canada, and the RCMP’s shameful
response, including assault rifles, military level invasion, criminalization, and
unlawful injunctions is unconstitutional. As Indigenous youth we stand with
Wet’suwet’en assertion of sovereignty because we understand that Indigenous
peoples will cease to exist without our land; our languages, cultures, and future
generations cannot survive without it. Indigenous youth are not only inheriting
a climate crisis driven by fossil fuel projects like CGL, but Canada’s
legacy of colonization, genocide, and gendered violence against Indigenous
women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. In protecting the lands from industrial
development, we are protecting our bodies from violence. As Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, we urge you to be responsible to our future and the future of our traditional territories. 75% of global mining companies are headquartered in Canada. While the Canadian government opens the door for multinational corporations to capitalize upon Indigenous lands, both internationally and within Canada, it is Indigenous youth who will suffer the consequences. Multibillion dollar fossil fuel projects are paid for with our lands, lives, and futures. The Canadian government’s failure to uphold Indigenous consent in the interest of furthering CGL is a continuation of Canada’s warfare against Indigenous lands globally. Canadian politicians can no longer perpetuate Canada’s shameful status quo in relation to Indigenous
rights.
We call upon you to do all you can in opposing CGL and the harm it will bring
to the people and the land. The Canadian government’s narratives of reconciliation and climate leadership become moot while simultaneously using lethal force to push a pipeline through Indigenous lands against the collective will of the hereditary leadership. Indigenous peoples defending their lands from destruction are not criminal or disposable. As Indigenous youth, we urge you to uphold Indigenous rights and Wet’suwet’en law by advocating for the removal of
CGL and RCMP from Wet’suwet’en territories. British Columbia has recently
commited to implement UNDRIP and follow free, prior, and informed consent.
The world is watching to see how you will respond.
Our demands as Indigenous youth in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en are as
follows:
1. That you do everything within your power as a Canadian politician to ensure that the following demands of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are met:
a) That the province cease construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline project and suspend permits.
b) That the UNDRIP and our right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)
are respected by the state and RCMP.
c) That the RCMP and associated security and policing services be withdrawn from Wet’suwet’en lands, in agreement with the most recent letter provided by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s (CERD) request.
d) That the provincial and federal government, RCMP and private industry
employed by CGL respect our laws and our governance system, and refrain from using any force to access our lands or remove our people
2. That the BC Premier and relevant Ministers meet with Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs to receive and adhere to these demands. Until Canada demonstrates commitment to UNDRIP by meeting the demands of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, we will continue to occupy your political offices. We will do everything within our power to protect our future and
Wet’suwet’en lands from destruction. It’s time for you to do the same.
Indigneous Youth in Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en
Wet’suwet’en solidarity protests disrupt infrastructure across the country - APTN News
Wet'suwet'en solidarity protests have disrupted bridges, streets, legislature, rail travel, and export terminals.
‘We’re not giving up’: Wet’suwet’en rally as RCMP move into main camp near pipeline worksite | Globalnews.ca
Opponents to the Coastal GasLink pipeline say RCMP are moving towards the main camp near the contested worksite.
globalnews.ca
MSM is reporting surprisingly well, actually giving voice to the hereditary chiefs.
From the Unistoten facebook page:
STAND WITH UNIST'OT'EN NOW!
Unist’ot’en Territory, Feb 10, 2020 – A convoy of armed RCMP tactical units has invaded sovereign and unceded Unist’ot’en Territory to enforce Coastal GasLink’s injunction. Our Unist’ot’en Matriarchs and lands defenders have been forcibly removed off their lands.
Unist’ot’en Matriarchs Freda Huson (Chief Howihkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), and Dr. Karla Tait have been forcibly removed off our territories and arrested. Our matriarchs were arrested while holding a ceremony to call on our ancestors and to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We, the Unist’ot’en, know that violence on our lands and violence on our women are connected. During ceremony, we hung red dresses to remember the spirits of the murdered women, girls and two spirit people taken from us. We were holding a cremation for the Canadian Indigenous Reconciliation industry as the RCMP battered through the gates. Land defenders, including Victoria Redsun (Denesuline), Autumn Walken (Nlaka’pamux), and Pocholo Alen Conception have also been arrested.
Unist’ot’en condemns these violent, colonial arrests and stark violations of Wet’suwet’en law, Canadian law, and of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This is also a clear violation of the recent directive from the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination (CERD) requiring Canada to halt the Coastal GasLink pipeline project and withdraw RCMP from our territory in order to avoid further violations of Wet’suwet’en, constitutional, and international law.
We, as Wet’suwet’en, have never ceded our sovereign title and rights over the 22,000 square kilometers of our land, waters, and resources within our Yintah. Our ‘Anuc niwh’it’ën (Wet’suwet’en law) and feast governance systems remain intact and continue to govern our people and our lands. We recognize the authority of these systems. The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are the Title Holders, and maintain the authority and jurisdiction to make decisions on unceded lands.
Our Wet’suwet’en Territory is divided into 5 clans and 13 house groups. Each clan within the Wet’suwet’en Nation has full jurisdiction under our law to control access to their respective territories. We have governed ourselves sustainably since time immemorial. The Unist’ot’en (Dark House) is occupying and using our traditional territory as we have for centuries. Our homestead is a peaceful expression of our connection to our territory and demonstrates the continuous use and occupation of our territories in accordance with our governance structure. Our Unist’ot’en Yin’tah is a place of healing. It is home to Wet’suwet’en people seeking refuge from colonial trauma. People recovering from addiction. People reconnecting with the land.
We have the strength of our ancestors within us. We have the solidarity of our Indigenous relatives and allies with us. We have the power of people shutting down railways, highways, ports, and government offices all around this country. Thank you to people all around this planet making our struggle your struggle. The flames of resistance and the resurgence of Indigenous land reclamation give us strength. We know our neighbours and relatives are with us. We know the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds are watching over us. These arrests don’t intimidate us. Police enforcement doesn’t intimidate us. Colonial court orders don’t intimidate us. Men in suits and their money don’t intimidate us. We are still here. We will always be there. This is not over
STAND WITH UNIST'OT'EN NOW!
Unist’ot’en Territory, Feb 10, 2020 – A convoy of armed RCMP tactical units has invaded sovereign and unceded Unist’ot’en Territory to enforce Coastal GasLink’s injunction. Our Unist’ot’en Matriarchs and lands defenders have been forcibly removed off their lands.
Unist’ot’en Matriarchs Freda Huson (Chief Howihkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), and Dr. Karla Tait have been forcibly removed off our territories and arrested. Our matriarchs were arrested while holding a ceremony to call on our ancestors and to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We, the Unist’ot’en, know that violence on our lands and violence on our women are connected. During ceremony, we hung red dresses to remember the spirits of the murdered women, girls and two spirit people taken from us. We were holding a cremation for the Canadian Indigenous Reconciliation industry as the RCMP battered through the gates. Land defenders, including Victoria Redsun (Denesuline), Autumn Walken (Nlaka’pamux), and Pocholo Alen Conception have also been arrested.
Unist’ot’en condemns these violent, colonial arrests and stark violations of Wet’suwet’en law, Canadian law, and of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This is also a clear violation of the recent directive from the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination (CERD) requiring Canada to halt the Coastal GasLink pipeline project and withdraw RCMP from our territory in order to avoid further violations of Wet’suwet’en, constitutional, and international law.
We, as Wet’suwet’en, have never ceded our sovereign title and rights over the 22,000 square kilometers of our land, waters, and resources within our Yintah. Our ‘Anuc niwh’it’ën (Wet’suwet’en law) and feast governance systems remain intact and continue to govern our people and our lands. We recognize the authority of these systems. The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are the Title Holders, and maintain the authority and jurisdiction to make decisions on unceded lands.
Our Wet’suwet’en Territory is divided into 5 clans and 13 house groups. Each clan within the Wet’suwet’en Nation has full jurisdiction under our law to control access to their respective territories. We have governed ourselves sustainably since time immemorial. The Unist’ot’en (Dark House) is occupying and using our traditional territory as we have for centuries. Our homestead is a peaceful expression of our connection to our territory and demonstrates the continuous use and occupation of our territories in accordance with our governance structure. Our Unist’ot’en Yin’tah is a place of healing. It is home to Wet’suwet’en people seeking refuge from colonial trauma. People recovering from addiction. People reconnecting with the land.
We have the strength of our ancestors within us. We have the solidarity of our Indigenous relatives and allies with us. We have the power of people shutting down railways, highways, ports, and government offices all around this country. Thank you to people all around this planet making our struggle your struggle. The flames of resistance and the resurgence of Indigenous land reclamation give us strength. We know our neighbours and relatives are with us. We know the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds are watching over us. These arrests don’t intimidate us. Police enforcement doesn’t intimidate us. Colonial court orders don’t intimidate us. Men in suits and their money don’t intimidate us. We are still here. We will always be there. This is not over
STAND WITH UNIST'OT'EN NOW!
Unist’ot’en Territory, Feb 10, 2020 – A convoy of armed RCMP tactical units has invaded sovereign and unceded Unist’ot’en Territory to enforce Coastal GasLink’s injunction. Our Unist’ot’en Matriarchs and lands defenders have been forcibly removed off their lands.
Unist’ot’en Matriarchs Freda Huson (Chief Howihkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), and Dr. Karla Tait have been forcibly removed off our territories and arrested. Our matriarchs were arrested while holding a ceremony to call on our ancestors and to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We, the Unist’ot’en, know that violence on our lands and violence on our women are connected. During ceremony, we hung red dresses to remember the spirits of the murdered women, girls and two spirit people taken from us. We were holding a cremation for the Canadian Indigenous Reconciliation industry as the RCMP battered through the gates. Land defenders, including Victoria Redsun (Denesuline), Autumn Walken (Nlaka’pamux), and Pocholo Alen Conception have also been arrested.
Unist’ot’en condemns these violent, colonial arrests and stark violations of Wet’suwet’en law, Canadian law, and of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This is also a clear violation of the recent directive from the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination (CERD) requiring Canada to halt the Coastal GasLink pipeline project and withdraw RCMP from our territory in order to avoid further violations of Wet’suwet’en, constitutional, and international law.
We, as Wet’suwet’en, have never ceded our sovereign title and rights over the 22,000 square kilometers of our land, waters, and resources within our Yintah. Our ‘Anuc niwh’it’ën (Wet’suwet’en law) and feast governance systems remain intact and continue to govern our people and our lands. We recognize the authority of these systems. The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are the Title Holders, and maintain the authority and jurisdiction to make decisions on unceded lands.
Our Wet’suwet’en Territory is divided into 5 clans and 13 house groups. Each clan within the Wet’suwet’en Nation has full jurisdiction under our law to control access to their respective territories. We have governed ourselves sustainably since time immemorial. The Unist’ot’en (Dark House) is occupying and using our traditional territory as we have for centuries. Our homestead is a peaceful expression of our connection to our territory and demonstrates the continuous use and occupation of our territories in accordance with our governance structure. Our Unist’ot’en Yin’tah is a place of healing. It is home to Wet’suwet’en people seeking refuge from colonial trauma. People recovering from addiction. People reconnecting with the land.
We have the strength of our ancestors within us. We have the solidarity of our Indigenous relatives and allies with us. We have the power of people shutting down railways, highways, ports, and government offices all around this country. Thank you to people all around this planet making our struggle your struggle. The flames of resistance and the resurgence of Indigenous land reclamation give us strength. We know our neighbours and relatives are with us. We know the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds are watching over us. These arrests don’t intimidate us. Police enforcement doesn’t intimidate us. Colonial court orders don’t intimidate us. Men in suits and their money don’t intimidate us. We are still here. We will always be there. This is not over
STAND WITH UNIST'OT'EN NOW!
Unist’ot’en Territory, Feb 10, 2020 – A convoy of armed RCMP tactical units has invaded sovereign and unceded Unist’ot’en Territory to enforce Coastal GasLink’s injunction. Our Unist’ot’en Matriarchs and lands defenders have been forcibly removed off their lands.
Unist’ot’en Matriarchs Freda Huson (Chief Howihkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), and Dr. Karla Tait have been forcibly removed off our territories and arrested. Our matriarchs were arrested while holding a ceremony to call on our ancestors and to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We, the Unist’ot’en, know that violence on our lands and violence on our women are connected. During ceremony, we hung red dresses to remember the spirits of the murdered women, girls and two spirit people taken from us. We were holding a cremation for the Canadian Indigenous Reconciliation industry as the RCMP battered through the gates. Land defenders, including Victoria Redsun (Denesuline), Autumn Walken (Nlaka’pamux), and Pocholo Alen Conception have also been arrested.
Unist’ot’en condemns these violent, colonial arrests and stark violations of Wet’suwet’en law, Canadian law, and of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This is also a clear violation of the recent directive from the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination (CERD) requiring Canada to halt the Coastal GasLink pipeline project and withdraw RCMP from our territory in order to avoid further violations of Wet’suwet’en, constitutional, and international law.
We, as Wet’suwet’en, have never ceded our sovereign title and rights over the 22,000 square kilometers of our land, waters, and resources within our Yintah. Our ‘Anuc niwh’it’ën (Wet’suwet’en law) and feast governance systems remain intact and continue to govern our people and our lands. We recognize the authority of these systems. The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are the Title Holders, and maintain the authority and jurisdiction to make decisions on unceded lands.
Our Wet’suwet’en Territory is divided into 5 clans and 13 house groups. Each clan within the Wet’suwet’en Nation has full jurisdiction under our law to control access to their respective territories. We have governed ourselves sustainably since time immemorial. The Unist’ot’en (Dark House) is occupying and using our traditional territory as we have for centuries. Our homestead is a peaceful expression of our connection to our territory and demonstrates the continuous use and occupation of our territories in accordance with our governance structure. Our Unist’ot’en Yin’tah is a place of healing. It is home to Wet’suwet’en people seeking refuge from colonial trauma. People recovering from addiction. People reconnecting with the land.
We have the strength of our ancestors within us. We have the solidarity of our Indigenous relatives and allies with us. We have the power of people shutting down railways, highways, ports, and government offices all around this country. Thank you to people all around this planet making our struggle your struggle. The flames of resistance and the resurgence of Indigenous land reclamation give us strength. We know our neighbours and relatives are with us. We know the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds are watching over us. These arrests don’t intimidate us. Police enforcement doesn’t intimidate us. Colonial court orders don’t intimidate us. Men in suits and their money don’t intimidate us. We are still here. We will always be there. This is not over
In photos: Wet’suwet’en matriarchs arrested as RCMP enforce Coastal GasLink pipeline injunction | The Narwhal
Police made arrests Monday on the Morice River bridge, the sole entrance point to the Unist'ot'en land-based healing centre
thenarwhal.ca
Excellent coverage featuring high-res photos to give readers a taste of what's going on in Northern BC, Canada.
In photos: Wet’suwet’en matriarchs arrested as RCMP enforce Coastal GasLink pipeline injunction | The Narwhal
Police made arrests Monday on the Morice River bridge, the sole entrance point to the Unist'ot'en land-based healing centre
Excellent coverage featuring high-res photos to give readers a taste of what's going on in Northern BC, Canada.
Im still new around these parts... as such, I'm unsure of the protocol for requesting a SOTT article. As such, I've just been posting updates here (1) to see if something may pique the SOTT editors interests and (2) to inform any interested readers.
Wet’suwet’en: Here’s where solidarity protests are happening across Canada | Globalnews.ca
Rallies and protests have popped up across the country, from Toronto to Ottawa to Winnipeg and Victoria.
globalnews.ca
duyunne
Jedi Council Member
Ive been following this here and there for the past few months, as well as other issues like Tsilhqot’in vs Taseko Mines near Williams Lake, or Squamish vs Kindermorgan, Mountain Cree-Smallboy Camp(near Jasper) vs Teck Resources.
I don't know what to make of the governments stance on this entire thing, or how they intend on saving face after Trudeau's public crocodile tear blubbering about reconciliation. It's obvious (to me) by this point, considering all the various protests across the country getting CBC coverage, that the cat is out of the bag and this has been gaining a lot of attention today. Protesters shutting down Cambie and Broadway this evening for example is a tough one to ignore.
I don't know what to make of the governments stance on this entire thing, or how they intend on saving face after Trudeau's public crocodile tear blubbering about reconciliation. It's obvious (to me) by this point, considering all the various protests across the country getting CBC coverage, that the cat is out of the bag and this has been gaining a lot of attention today. Protesters shutting down Cambie and Broadway this evening for example is a tough one to ignore.
So far, the governments are playing it quiet. It may be that it is long past the point where they can simply just send in the cops and get rid of the inconvenient Indians and their allies - it would tarnish their narrative of reconciliation even further. They are caught between the demands of PTB industry and an angry populace. My guess is they will attempt to wait it out, play the game of attrition. Their logic may be that 'the protestors can't do this indefinitely'. Possibly they will wait until the recently-launched court case plays out - then they don't have to make a political decision, and can defer to a bland strategy based on 'rule of law'.
Attachments
It can be difficult thing to understand rights to territory and established territory through the eyes of different tribes, and more importantly, the elected chiefs/council versus the hereditary chiefs (and what now hereditary means); this is an old problem, with natives being beaten down and beating each other up through the ages over rights.
I can't condone the actions of all parties here, different all over the place, and history shows that negotiations are not staked up in favor of the communities themselves, and some chiefs can act against their interests. All so very complicated and nuanced to where and who, while being backstopped by hundreds of years of mistrust - naturally against the latter coming of the non indigenous (although who is ever the first?), and among themselves.
Pipelines, though, present a delicate conundrum, which is not helped by inflaming the situation when the usual's, such as meddlers of the Tides Foundation or the ever-ready Rockefeller's are funding native and environmental groups in Canada at the same time, and both accept their money, with the former more in need of funding in norther communities. The Federal government have funded one side while acting on another, and so do the provinces. However, not all in the tribes think the same way.
The Warren Buffett Berkshire Hathaway group have command of the rail lines and the Koch Brothers are the receivers of some of this movement of oil, and obviously they don't want pipelines; well Koch does with Keystone XL. Trudeau helps no one by speaking out of both sides of his mouth while pushing off the problem to the provinces and their courts, not to mention buying out Kinder Morgan for the Canadian tax payers, and promising the moon. Alberta is alienated, while the wind/solar and oil-well geothermal boys have their own play, which is at odds with oil in general while being and in allignment with the climate gang.
The movement of oil in Canada best serves US interests in terms of price.
None of this helps the Wet’suwet’en or others who are often divided (or don't want to go against their chiefs - and then which chiefs is also a factor, elected or hereditary?), with some wanting to build projects, to actually be a beneficiary of them, which the news does not like to report.
Here is another view:
iamthatis, it is indeed noble of you to highlight this plight. Similarly, yet different, was with Oka back in the Mulroney days whereby a legal territory was protected against the military then, as you may recall. This was close to home back then and then the media drummed up a big tale. Then, error after error compounded by Mayor of Oka, the Quebec police and finally Mulroney was emboldened enough to bring in the tanks, just like Trudeau did in Quebec much earlier. Messy stuff.
Writing about Indian affairs in Canada is difficult enough, and no clear view is possible; such as Nationhood, which is tribal and loosely knit, and territories not yet resolved in law (not that some claims and treaties should not be respected). What's going on here has a different flavor, osit, as this whole country appears to be on the verge of being taken down - divided and divided every which way, while money flows in to key groups while the press (more or less unified and woke as they are) opens up the court of public opinion. Climate people and Native people meshed together opposing what many in the latter group actually want for their people. Their people, and many know it, are trapped in reserves under Federal Act & Policy and some corrupt chiefs, while the Feds are playing the long game, as they always do.
This time around, the climate people have their boots in this mess and are doing what they are doing here, in Canada (BC and elsewhere) just as they are doing all over the world to disrupt. There are so many on this climate express that its inevitable wreck, if it is allowed to stay on its tracks, cannot be fathomed - it will hurt everyone baddy, notwithstanding natives, and many natives are well aware, and some not or, they are thinking they will emerge unscathed.
Anyway, it's complicated as always and is being played out in so many directions that are geared to either pull at heart strings, save the world or inflame anger.
Fwiw, here is 'John Ivison: Canada is turning into a mob city while Trudeau remains silent'
John Ivison: Canada is turning into a mob city while Trudeau remains silent
Beyond bloodlines: How the Wet’suwet’en hereditary system at the heart of the Coastal GasLink conflict works
Wet’suwet’en Nation hereditary chiefs say pipelines cannot be built through their territory without their consent. Their governance system is complex and rooted in cultural traditions. But there are disagreements over how it works and who benefits
www.theglobeandmail.com
Here is one article that goes into a little more detail RE: hereditary system. In particular, it claims that the original governance structure has been degraded by state-sponsored band councils, which are seen as an imposition designed to make First Nations land available to resource extraction. From my research,this has the effect of dividing First Nations internally through giving funding to band councils. Band councils and the monetary benefits they facilitate are sought after due mainly to the destitute poverty, lack of drinking water, youth suicide, and missing and murdered women that characterizes much of Indigenous existence in Canada today.
Defrocked pastor Kevin Annett has done much to expose how the Residential School System in Canada, which was the model of South African apartheid, was desiggned in part to 'kill the Indian in the child' through rape, torture, verbal and physical abuse, starvation, and murder - all designed to program a caste of 'civilized Natives' who would be willing to play along with the destruction of their cultural traditions, and contaminate their land and water.
Here is an article by Annett (you can find many YouTube talks and other articles), which alleges that Native leaders are trafficking their own girls, experimentation of Native children with electrodes by German doktors in the 30s, and native kids who were killed in MK-Ultra experiments. I can confirm none of this, but it would be a valuable avenue of inquiry for anyone attempting to understand the 'hereditary vs band council' issue.
Truth and Native Abuse | The Tyee
How one man's wild claims threaten success of Truth and Reconciliation.
In my view, the band council system is 4D STS in nature, and the band council Natives appear to be thoroughly programmed to do their work.
Defrocked pastor Kevin Annett has done much to expose how the Residential School System in Canada, which was the model of South African apartheid, was desiggned in part to 'kill the Indian in the child' through rape, torture, verbal and physical abuse, starvation, and murder - all designed to program a caste of 'civilized Natives' who would be willing to play along with the destruction of their cultural traditions, and contaminate their land and water.
Here is an article by Annett (you can find many YouTube talks and other articles), which alleges that Native leaders are trafficking their own girls, experimentation of Native children with electrodes by German doktors in the 30s, and native kids who were killed in MK-Ultra experiments. I can confirm none of this, but it would be a valuable avenue of inquiry for anyone attempting to understand the 'hereditary vs band council' issue.
Truth and Native Abuse | The Tyee
How one man's wild claims threaten success of Truth and Reconciliation.thetyee.ca
Woops, the article is about Annett, not by him. At any rate, it doesn't cast him in a very good light. The difficulty with figures like Annett is in establishing factual credibility of his claims. Currently they are at the status of plausible rumours to me - but the question of credibility is raised for any number of topics discussed here on the forum or on SOTT, whether it is underground bases, the coming of the Wave, multidimensional controllers, the Greenbaum effects, organic portals, etc. So it could be that he is onto something, but that he doesn't have the necessary energy, networking, or access to 'higher hints' like the C's. And it could be his detractors are part of a MSM campaign to keep the truth from coming out. Or he could be making things up. Perhaps this would be a good question for the C's...