The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs have repeatedly affirmed in our balhats (feast hall) that there are to be no pipelines cross our yintah (land). In 2018 Justice Church granted Coastal GasLink, a fracked gas pipeline company, an injunction to trespass and complete their work without resistance. The Wet’suwet’en fought back. After a series of militarized raids and catch and release, charges were laid in 2021 that saw several Wet’suwet’en and indigenous allies face off with the colonial court system.

Last year Sleydo’ Molly Wickham (Gidimt’en), Shaylynn Sampson (Gitxsan) and Corey Jocko (Haudenosaunee) filed an Abuse of Process Application against the RCMP (Canadian police) for the violence they experienced during the enforcement of the injunction obtained by Coastal GasLink. In the last year we have heard testimony of their Charter Rights being breached and the atrocious experiences of their arrests and violations of their human rights while in custody. We presented evidence on the flawed enforcement plan and lack of planning to protect our rights by leadership within CIRG and the RCMP. One officer testified that he was instructed to not take any notes during enforcement, a directive given by his commander during a briefing the night before.

The time for Justice Tammen’s decision is coming on February 18th, 2025 at 10am PST in Cas Yikh yintah (Smithers, BC).

If Justice Tammen rules in favour of our application we are asking him to stay the charges. In January 2024 he found all three guilty of criminal contempt for violating the injunction on Wet’suwet’en yintah obtained by Coastal GasLink. Alternatively, if he decides against our application and proceeds to sentencing we are asking that he determine all three have served their time while in custody in November of 2021.

His decision in this case will be precedent setting.

Justice Tammen also saw the cases of Sabina Dennis and Diní 'ze’ Dtsa’hyl in 2024 who were also charged with criminal contempt of the injunction. At the end of those proceedings he found Sabina not guilty and found Diní ze’ Dtsa’hyl guilty and sentenced him to 60 days of house arrest. Each of the cases had very different circumstances and outcomes. There is not a case yet that follows the facts of the case before him now.

These proceedings have taken over a year to date. This has meant time away from family, undue stress and hardships and the criminalization of indigenous people upholding Wet’suwet’en law. Through ‘anuk niwh’iten all five clans of the Wet’suwet’en nation have passed laws within our balhats to ban all pipelines from our yintah. We have very strong trespass laws as well that have been violated by industry and the state. We continue to stand firm in our knowing and ways of our ancestors who have protected these lands since time immemorial. We have done this work with our ancestors, Diní ze’ and Tsakë ze’, allies, comrades and supporters.

We are asking everyone to pay attention to this. If you can come support in person please do so. Watch our social media pages for updates. Check our website for ways to support. Light your sacred fires and send prayers for everyone involved in upholding our sacred responsibilities.

“In the very violent and unjustifiable manner in which they conducted themselves, against our Charter Rights and against UNDRIP, the RCMP and the courts have proven that we are living under a Police State guided by a Petroleum State.” - Diní ze’ Na’Moks

As we come up to another set of trial dates we are asking for your support for our allied land defenders.

Our relatives/allies Shaylynn (Gitxsan) and Corey (Haudenosaunee) are gearing up to travel to the yintah for another week happening on December 9-13, 2024. Next week will be final submissions from both sides and then a date will be set for the decision! While this seems to be almost behind us so much is resting on the judge.

While we are so very grateful for all the support towards legal fees we recognize that Shaylynn and Corey have to take time away from work, family, home and responsibilities to attend trial for supporting us in asserting our 'anuk niwh it'en. We are asking all our supporters to help them make this process a bit more bearable so they don't have to worry about things at home like rent and bills. They are dealing with so much fighting for their lives for doing the right thing.

This colonial system takes so much from us already! It's not reasonable to also have to worry about their housing security and capitalism while they are facing a system designed against us.

Please give generously and share with your networks. Stay tuned for updates on all our socials and keep us all in your prayers. Many people have come together to support us all year and we appreciate all the efforts!

Tabï misiyh.

Wetʼsuwetʼen land defenders are being criminally prosecuted just for defending their lands. Now they are fighting for its very survival, and the survival of our planet during a global climate crisis. Sign the petition and help them protect their land.

The Indigenous  Wet’suwet’en Nation have lived on and cared for their ancestral lands for generations, sustaining their culture and raising their children. As Sleydo ’ Molly Wickham, a Wet’suwet’en land defender says: “Our medicines, our berries, our food, the animals, our water, our culture, are all here since time immemorial”. 

This long-standing way of life is under threat. Despite the Nation having the right to decide what development happens on their lands, a company called Coastal GasLink Pipeline Ltd (CGL) began constructing a fossil fuel pipeline through their territory, without the consent of the Hereditary Chiefs  and their clans. 

Wet’suwet’en land defenders and their allies knew they had to fight back. They began taking actions to protect Wet’suwet’en territory; however, CGL obtained an injunction to prevent interference with pipeline construction. The land defenders’ peaceful actions have been met with appalling violence and criminalization. The police have conducted raids on Wet’suwet’en territory with semi-automatic weapons. Over 75 land defenders have been arrested.

In 2022, criminal charges were pressed against Sleydo’ and 19 other land defenders . In 2024, Sleydo’, Shaylynn Sampson and Corey Jayochee Jocko were found guilty of “criminal contempt” for disobeying the injunction order, despite the fact that they were peacefully defending Wet’suwet’en territory. The three land defenders have made an application to the court stating that their human rights were violated by police during the raids. Their futures depend on the outcome of this application. If unsuccessful, they face time in prison. 

Sleydo’ and others are not just defending Wet’suwet’en land, they’re protecting everyone’s right to a healthy environment by opposing another harmful fossil fuel project, and they need our support.

Sign the petition and demand that the Canadian authorities stop criminalizing Wet’suwet’en land defenders and their allies now.

After nearly two years, two of our supporters had trumped up charges of dangerous driving, failure to stop and obstruction dropped yesterday. This comes after having shown up for trial twice and having the judge be overbooked. Both supporters and lawyers travelled, booked time for trial and prepared themselves for court.

The trauma and violence they and others experienced for a “traffic stop” escalation, through no fault of their own, is a case in point for the harassment and intimidation that has been ongoing. While we are relieved that they are no longer facing charges for being pepper sprayed, one while handcuffed, we are continuously frustrated with the colonial systems that aim to oppress our people.

We encourage everyone to continue living as your ancestors did. Continue speaking the truth. Stand strong and be loud. While we continue to care for ourselves, support each other and and those that are facing state violence, we continue to love and protect the yintah.

Stay safe out there.

#WetsuwetenLandWetsuwetenLaw #DefendLandDefenders #ChargesDropped #RCMPOfftheYintah