COYOTE CAMP
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 on Day 23
“We knew that at some point, they would try to drill under Wedzin Kwa and we’ve always known that … is not allowed. It’s too sacred to us and too important to us to ever let that happen.”
Sleydo’ for The Narwhal
On September 25th 2021, Gidimt’en Checkpoint organizers moved in to occupy Coastal GasLink’s drill site on the banks of the Wedzin Kwa River. The occupation camp was named Coyote Camp in honour of the coyote families that can be heard singing at night at the river. Since then, there have been numerous invasions with police with two arrests, but now on Day 23, Coyote Camp stands strong and is digging in for the coming winter.
If you missed the Recap Article for week one of the occupation, please find it here.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT COYOTE CAMP?
Coastal Gaslink is one of many proposed pipelines attempting to cut across the Wet’suwet’en traditional territories. If built, it would expedite the construction of subsequent bitumen and fracked gas pipelines, and create incentive for gas companies to tap into shale deposits along the pipeline right of way. This project aims to blaze a trail, in what has been envisioned as an “energy corridor” through some of the only pristine areas left in this entire region. If CGL were to be built and become operational, it would irreversibly transform the ecology and character of the Yintah and surrounding territories.
Since the beginning of the month, Gidimt’en Checkpoint and supporters have tirelessly worked to establish and fortify Coyote Camp. Welcomed to the territory by Dinï ze’ Woos, the house Chief of Cas Yikh house of the Gidimt’en Clan, many guests have arrived at camp to support the effort to save Wedzin Kwa. A delegation of Haudenosaunee people, including Skylar Williams of 1492 LandBack Lane, arrived on the territory with a letter of support and unity from The Six Nations “Iroquois” Confederacy. The Wet’suwet’en have strong family ties and children with the Haudenosaunee, and are committed to working together towards the protection of the River for all future generations.
Tensions escalated at the beginning of the month, with daily patrols and harassment by the RCMP and the C-IRG team, notorious for their brutal aggression that has come under Supreme Court scrutiny at Ada istx (Fairy Creek) during the summer of 2021. Officers hid badge numbers and names, made gruesome jokes about genocide, emptied water cisterns, slashed tires, stole ATV keys and harassed media and legal observers.
Despite intimidation and harassment, Coyote Camp stands strong and approaches a month long victory of occupation at the drill site.
HERE IS A RECAP OF IMPORTANT EVENTS:
OCTOBER 3
A new cabin is build on Cas Yikh, directly on the drill site and right of way for the pipeline. It is here that Coastal GasLink plans to drill under the river and build a massive tailings pond. The site is directly above a ceremonial pit house at the edge of the rive and a smokehouse belonging to Chief Woos. The cabin will instead house Cas Yikh and Gidimt’en Clan members for generations to come.
OCTOBER 4
Eight RCMP officers enter Coyote Camp despite meetings with Chief Woos. Sleydo’ calls out for further support and action in anticpation of futher enforcement.
OCTOBER 6
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. Sleydo’ reminds us that we are more powerful then them, spiritually. No matter what they do to us or violence they bring to these territories, she reminds us that we are right.
OCTOBER 7
6 RCMP officers entered Coyote camp and were confronted by camp security. They were told to leave, to not come into camp. They were violent and entered the camp. They stayed for several hours, making threats of violence and joking about genocide. Coyote camp continues to hold the ground against C-IRG.
OCTOBER 9
The week of action launches and supporters are asked to go #AllOutForWedzinKwa. 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. During the week of action, rails and ports and campuses are shut down in warning to CGL and its investors that the pipeline will never go through.
OCTOBER 10
RCMP once again enter Coyote Camp, this time with Sgt. Charney, who spent most of his summer violently assaulting BIPOC teenagers and youth at Ada istx. They emptied water cisterns, rifled through tents, took ATV keys, and harassed media and legal observers.
That afternoon, Dinï ze’ Woos welcomed our Haudenosaunee relatives and allies to the Yintah. We are following our laws and protocols protecting Wedzin Kwa. We know that our pristine sacred headwaters are worth fighting for. Our ancestors have fought to protect what we have and we will continue to do what is needed for all our relatives and future generations, at the direction of our Dinï ze’ and Tsakë ze’.
October 11
RCMP attempt to enter Coyote camp and are turned away by Haudenosaunee warriors and relatives! 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. This victory is a powerful moment in this occupation and asserts Indigenous control and sovereignty over these territories.
October 15
The week of action ends in a CN railway shut down in St-Édouard-de-Maskinongé. Misiyh to all who went #AllOutForWedzinkwa! Today, Sleydo’ and Skylar Williams sit down on the Yintah to disuss impacts of colonization, industry, RCMP and how we are painted by the government and media to distract from our true goal of protecting our land and people.
October 17
Sleydo and Donna Silversmith of Snipe Clan, Cayuga find a moment to discuss Nation-to-Nation solidarity in the face of MMIW and industrial threat to land and water. The RCMP have not yet returned since they were chased away on October 11th.
OCTOBER 18 Chief Dsta'hyl Deactivates Coastal Gaslink Excavator
Lihkt'samisyu chiefs Dsta'hyl and Tse'besa took action as Coastal Gaslink workers continue to trespass on Wet'suwet'en territory in violation of Wet'suwet'en laws. Coastal Gaslink was instructed to remove all equipment from Lihkts'amisyu territory immediately, or it will be decommissioned and seized by the Likht'samisyu clan in accordance with our laws. Coastal Gaslink has been damaging wetlands that flow to Parrot Lake, where we have reclaimed a traditional village site and established a community. We will not stand by while our territories are destroyed. Wet'suwet'en laws protect our lands and our people, to the benefit of all. Our clan, and our government, is the highest authority on our sovereign lands.
For more info, and ways to support, visit: http://www.likhtsamisyu.com/
To donate: https://www.gofundme.com/.../qxudxq-s......
#AllOutForWedzinKwa
⭐ Come to the land: COME TO CAMP
⭐ Find or host a solidarity rally near you: FB EVENTS
⭐ Pressure the government:
BC Oil and Gas Commission (2950 Jutland Rd, Floor 6, Victoria BC): WEBSITE
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer BC Oil & Gas Commsion: Paul Jeakins; (250 419 4411), paul.jeakins@bcogc.ca
Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development Contacts: WEBSITE
Katrine Conroy; (250-387-6240), flnr.minister@gov.bc.ca
Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations: WEBSITE
Nathan Cullen; (250 842 6338, 250 847 8841), nathan.cullen.mla@leg.bc.ca
Environmental Assessment Office: WEBSITE
Project Lead: Meaghan Hoyle; (778 974-3361), meaghan.hoyle@gov.bc.ca
Executive Project Director: Fern Stockman; (778 698-9313), Fern.Stockman@gov.bc.ca
Compliance & Enforcement Lead: Compliance & Enforcement Branch (250-387-0131), eao.compliance@gov.bc.ca
⭐ Donate: Donate Here
⭐ PayPal yintahaccess@gmail.com
⭐ Share our posts: Use the hashtag #AllOutForWedzinKwa to spread the word!
⭐ Check out our TAKE ACTION page for resources and previous actions
The time is NOW to recognize Indigenous sovereignty around the world.
It is up to the Gidimt’en, Wet’suwet’en, and our supporters to determine the fate of future generations. #ALLOUTFORWEDZINKWA
Misiyh to our media team and video ninja's who are rocking out these productions while living out at remote bush camps. You are so appreciated!