Trial Begins!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30,, 2023
Contact: Jennifer Wickham
Gidimt’en Checkpoint Media Coordinator
778-210-0067, yintahaccess@gmail.com 

Land Defender Begins Trial in Wet’suwet’en Pipeline Conflict

Injunction Criminal Contempt Charges Threaten
Indigenous Sovereignty

Unceded Wet’suwet’en Yintah (so-called Smithers, BC) – Land Defender, Sabina Dennis, Dakelh, faces criminal contempt charges as trial is set to begin October 30th, 10:00 am PST at the Smithers courthouse. This week of trial will focus primarily on Dennis’ arrest from November 18, 2021, following a 56 day occupation of the Coastal GasLink Drill Pad Site, a highly contested river crossing site underneath the Wedzin Kwah (Morice River).

Dennis is one of the 32 people arrested between November 18 & 19th 2021, during militarized raids of the Gidimt’en Checkpoint and Coyote Camp. This is one of the few cases from three large scale police raids on Wet’suwet’en Yintah since 2019 that have gone to trial. 

A 2018 Injunction from Justice Church continues to threaten the right for Wet’suwet’en people to steward their lands, and has enabled large scale police violence against the Wet’suwet’en and their allies. These upcoming trials will be overseen by Justice Tammen. Dennis and others arrested at Coyote camp potentially face 30 days jail time if convicted. 

“We denounce the criminalization of our relatives at the hands of the RCMP and Canadian justice system, we are the rightful caretakers of this land. Our law has existed for far longer than the courts that continue to oppress our people. This is another attempt to undermine our power as Wet’suwet’en people for the benefit and greed of Industry.” says DinÏ Ze Woos.

Despite years of resistance, and lack of free prior and informed consent, the colonial courts continue to uphold the status quo of destroying Indigenous land and violently removing Wet’suwet’en people and their guests from the Yintah.

Dennis states “We need to stand in the power of our laws as Indigenous Peoples, this is an assertion of our ancient law and continuation of our resistance. We will stand together as Indigenous nations with a long history of standing up for our people and our lands”

The remainder of the arrestees, including Sleydo’ Molly Wickham, will be facing trial dates in late November and scheduled to finish in the New Year. In addition to these cases, DinÏ ze’ Dtsa’hyl Adam Gagnon will complete his criminal trial. 

Upcoming Trial Dates in Smithers Courthouse:
October 30-November 3, 2023: Sabina Dennis 
November 14-17, 2023: DinÏ ze’ Dsta’hyl Adam Gagnon
November 27-December 1, 2023: Coyote Camp Trial
January 8-19, 2024: Coyote Camp Trial

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Misiyh