2021 RECAP
Wet’suwet’en Resistance
2021 Recap
Evicting CGL Colonizers
For the third time in three years, the Wet’suwet’en have faced militarized raids on our ancestral territory.
One month ago today, the RCMP violently raided unceded Gidimt’en territory (November 18-19, 2021), removing Indigenous people from their land at gunpoint on behalf of TC Energy’s proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline. The Wet’suwet’en enforced our standing eviction of CGL by closing roads into the territory November 14-17. Following the raids, arrestees received cruel and violent treatment in prison. The conditions set forth by the court are human rights violations to Indigenous peoples. We’re still here. We’re still throwing down. We are more determined than ever to protect our traditional territories for future generations.
In September 2021, Gidimt’en Checkpoint reoccupied Lhudis Bin territory, building a clan cabin on the drill pad site where Coastal GasLink pipeline wants to drill underneath our sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa. The Coyote Camp re-occupation of Cas Yikh Gidimt’en Yintah was an historic 56 days long.
CGL took extreme measures to force us from our ancestral lands. They employed fear tactics and threats of violence daily. They surveilled us with helicopters and drones, threatened us with attack dogs, pointed guns at us and chainsawed down the doors to our homes. They put their own workers in danger and used them as political pawns for profit. They tried to break our spirits in prison and in court with torture and colonial “release conditions”.
Again, they threatened to kill us and steal our land. But we’re still here.
In 2010, there were 13 proposed pipeline projects to go through Wet’suwet’en territory. Investors were forced to pull out of these mega-destructive projects through our territory and the CGL pipeline is the only one left, from Enbridge, Pacific Trails Pipeline, Spectra, Pembina, and several others.
Within the first days of the reoccupation there were violent arrests and police brutality on unarmed welcome guests on Cas Yikh yintah. We put a callout for solidarity from our neighboring nations and from our allies. The Haudenosaunee showed up in solidarity and walked the RCMP out of the territory. Gitxsan erected a railway blockade in solidarity with our reoccupation. Others took action in their territories including land back, rolling blockades, highway shut downs and rallies across Turtle Island.
Following the militarized raids in 2019 and 2020 on Gidimt’en territory, callouts for solidarity sparked coast-to-coast actions crippling the “Canadian” economy and shutting down major infrastructure across so-called “Canada ''.
In 2021, outraged responses to the latest militarized raids have yet again rippled across the continent. Join our callout for an International Week of Action December 20, 2021! By forcing divestment of this project we will collectively end this fight for good!
Reconciliation will not come at the barrel of a gun. The governments of BC and Canada make statements about Indigenous rights, and even "land back," but when it comes to respecting our sovereign jurisdiction on our Yintah, they lie. Canada and BC have the power to call off their police army and to cancel CGL's permits, but instead, they have declared war against our people, our children, and our Yintah - ripping us from our families, terrorizing and smearing us, bulldozing and burning down our dwellings, and desecrating our ceremonial items and spaces. Governments and oil and gas corporations openly collude on lawmaking and enforcement of industrial projects, undermining our sovereignty and threatening our future generations.
We have a sacred responsibility to our children, to protect Wedzin Kwa, our clean drinking water, our salmon, and the right to be Wet'suwet'en, for all future generations. We will not endure genocide by oil and gas corporate colonizers. We call on our allies everywhere, to rise up, stand up, fight back! Put pressure on investors, on industry, and the government to put an end to the Coastal GasLink pipeline. All Out for Wedzin Kwa! Join the Wet’suwet’en resistance!
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Wet’suwet’en land defenders enforced eviction of Coastal GasLink by blocking roads into the territory. NOV 14-17, 2021.
The Wet'suwet'en and our allies employed a pre-emptive strategy in the days leading up to impending and expected RCMP raids. Rather than passively waiting for violent militarized police to invade, Gidimt’en Checkpoint at Coyote Camp took direct action! We held complete control over the territory from November 14, the 50th day of re-occupation, until the RCMP raids started 4 days later on November 18.
This is a list of major events from each day:
November 14, 2021:
Eviction Enforcement Order on Day 50 of Coyote Camp
5:00am, NOV 14 2021: Gidimt’en Dinï Ze’ (Hereditary Chief) Woos issued a mandatory Eviction Enforcement order to Coastal GasLink, wherein all CGL workers were given 8 hours to peacefully exit Gidimt’en territory. After this time, the Morice Forest Service Road (MFSR) was to be immediately and permanently closed.
Conditions of this grace period included terms that the RCMP were not to cross the 30km mark on the MFSR, or the road would be immediately closed. The Eviction Enforcement Order was read repeatedly by Gidimt’en Checkpoint Spokesperson Sleydo’ over all road radio channels on the MFSR for the first hour, and then once hourly for the remainder of the evacuation period.
At this time, Cas Yihk Territory was effectively placed under control by Wet'suwet'en and their supporters from 39km-63km on the MFSR.CGL security personnel and equipment were kicked out by Wet’suwet’en supporters at 39km on the MFSR and the outermost checkpoint was established on the road, securing the territory from any attempted RCMP or security incursion. Worker vehicles arriving at the checkpoint were informed the road was closed. No “up” traffic was permitted. Arriving worker vehicles were permitted to turn around and leave at the checkpoint. CGL security (Forsythe) took up a position below the 39km checkpoint.
A checkpoint was established at 44km, Gidimt'en Checkpoint, to monitor, control and assist with worker evacuation. Another checkpoint was established at 63km on Morice West FSR (Cas Yikh side of Wedzin Kwa, near Coyote Camp) to monitor, control and assist with traffic of evacuating workers from both the 9A and P2 CGL Mancamps.
Only 5 vehicles left the territory. It was later revealed that CGL did not inform their workers of the eviction order and used rock trucks to block their workers into man camps.
Coastal GasLink Failed to Warn Camp Employees about Blockade, Worker Says
(read more at the Tyee)Around 12:30pm, Coastal GasLink, through a representative with the RCMP, requested an additional 2 hours to evict their workers. By 1pm, the original Eviction Enforcement Order would have expired. Dinï ze' Woos approved this request in good faith.
However, by 3pm, CGL had failed to evacuate any further employees despite asking for the extension. The eviction was now fully enforced with road closures at both ends.
- Gidimt’en Checkpoint (39KM) closed the road to “up” traffic from the highway.
- Coyote Camp (63KM) closed the road to “down” traffic from the CGL man camps.
- All traffic and territory in between was now controlled by Wet’suwet’en.Police set up an exclusion zone at 28km on MFSR, preventing “up” traffic from that point. Exclusion zones are ill-defined areas of law where RCMP deny or limit access to specific groups of the public for undetermined amounts of time during police enforcement actions.
RCMP obscure this strategy by calling it an "access control point". In a 2020 RCMP press release, the RCMP stated that they "will not allow access to anyone who is not part of the enforcement team, with some exceptions for Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs and Elected Council members by arrangement with the Commander" and the "purpose is to temporarily create an area where police and Coastal GasLink work an safely operate to deploy heavy machinery and equipment as needed..."
This exclusion zones tactic, criticized by BC Civil Liberties, was challenged in July 2020 by Elders for an Ancient Forest, where the judge ruled that the exclusion zone went above and beyond the terms of the original injunction and was undercutting the reputation of the court. This decision was appealed and soon overturned in favour of the company again.
November 15, 2021:
Day 2 of the Eviction Enforcement Order
An excavator flipped a crushed van onto the 44km bridge and concrete barriers were piled on top of it. 3 more pieces of heavy machinery were also decommissioned.
A bulldozer was used to further deactivate the bridge at 44km. The foundation of the bridge was dug up and cracked and a massive trench dug on one end of the bridge. The road is further dug up and trenched, preventing all vehicle traffic.
A grappler was used to deactivate another bridge, this one located at 58km on the Morice FSR.
November 16th, 2021:
Day 3 of the Eviction Enforcement Order
A plane transporting an additional 30-50 RCMP landed in the nearby northern town of Smithers, BC. 2 full size buses along with multiple trucks transported them and their gear to their staging area. It was later discovered that the staging location was the CGL man camp known as Huckleberry (located at 29 km on the Morice Owen FSR).
November 17, 2021:
Wet'suwet'en member Jennifer Wickham was denied access to the territory by RCMP, blocking food and medical supplies from reaching elders and supporters on the yintah.
RCMP denying medication for Wet'suwet'en elder:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWQuCs9GvFk
As the RCMP build up began, Sleydo' addressed supporters with this powerful fireside speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg6aa_TVGXw
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RCMP conducted a 2 day long militarized raid on Wet’suwet’en territory, on behalf of Coastal GasLink Pipeline.
CONTENT WARNING:
This section contains graphic depictions, images, and videos of violence against Indigenous people.
Over 2 days, the RCMP escorted Coastal GasLink with full military force and laid siege to our people and our Yintah. Around 32 people were arrested, including Gidimt’en Checkpoint spokesperson Sleydo’; Dinï ze’ Woos’ daughter Jocelyn Alec; Sleydo’s partner Cody Merriman (Haida nation); and two journalists. Those arrested are all facing charges of civil contempt for breaching the terms of a BC Supreme Court injunction granted to CGL.
Here are key moments from the raids:
DAY 1 : November 18, 2021
Raid on Gidimt’en Checkpoint Part 1: Nov 18:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4eO1ecdeEA
11:19 AM, Nov 18, 2021
20+ RCMP cops with K9 units now at Gidimt'en checkpoint at 44km. Supporters were read the injunction and threatened with arrest.
11:50 AM, Nov 18, 2021
4 arrests were made at 44km, including 2 indigenous elders. Janet Williams is our elder and she was denied access to her medication by the illegal RCMP exclusion zone.
https://twitter.com/Gidimten/status/1461425466083102732
12:11 PM, Nov 18, 2021:
1 media professional covering the Wet'suwet'en eviction of CGL was arrested by RCMP at 44km.
12:21pm, Nov 18, 2021:
6 RCMP approaching 44KM on foot. (Including Staff Sergeant Jason Charney, who has a record of police brutality on our territories.)
12:30pm, Nov 18, 2021:
RCMP formed a line and advanced with machinery coming behind them clearing the road. Legal Observers threatened with arrest.
12:36pm, Nov 18, 2021:
4 RCMP officers entering the encampment at 44KM on unceded Gidimt'en territory
12:39pm, Nov 18, 2021:
Legal Observers arrested by RCMP at 44KM on Gidimt'en territory. Legal observers act as legal witnesses, documenting incidents of police misconduct or violations of the rights of protesters.
12:43pm, Nov 18, 2021:
At least one RCMP officer entered the camp kitchen at 44KM on Gidimt'en territory.
12:44pm, Nov 18, 2021:
RCMP attempted to deconstruct barricades in order to rebuild the road at 44KM on Gidimt'en territory, acting on behalf of TC Energy's Coastal GasLink project.
12:48pm, Nov 18, 2021:
Approximately 15 total arrests were made at 44KM on Gidimt'en territory, including 7 supporters, 3 Legal Observers, 2 elders, and at least one media person.
1:11pm, Nov 18 2021:
During a State of Emergency we are seeing another 21 RCMP landing in Smithers BC to criminalize Wet'suwet'en people on their own lands.
1:41pm, Nov 18, 2021:
2 white police buses headed up 4KM on Gidimt’en territory
2:20 pm, Nov 18, 2021:
15 supporters have been arrested, all for breaches of the injunction. There are no criminal arrests. All will be brought to Smithers for bail hearings tomorrow. Janet Williams, a Wet'suwet'en Matriarch from the Cas Yikh house, was taken to the hospital in Smithers suffering from chest pain, following her arrest by the RCMP earlier today.
Democracy Now! Coverage:
https://democracynow.cachefly.net/democracynow/360/dn2021-1119.mp4
Mid-day, Nov 18, 2021:
As busloads of RCMP moved towards Coyote Camp, roadblocks were again being fortified at 63km on Cas Yikh territory. Another excavator was used to reinforce the rear barricade. Trenches were dug across the road and 2 vehicles were flipped onto a barricade.
DAY 2 : November 19, 2021
Raid on Coyote Camp Part 1: Tiny House:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8PXPVuvyE
Raid on Coyote Camp Part 2: Skiy ze’ Cabin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEGIyR6WZ1o
Raid on Gidimt’en Checkpoint Part 2: Nov 19:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAYzG_-Ye4
8:00 am, Nov 19, 2021:
3 buses, 3 vans, 20-30 pick up trucks, some marked, some unmarked, trailers of snow mobiles and a surveillance truck traveling on Morice forest service road between KM 44 and KM 66
9:02 am, Nov 19, 2021:
The RCMP convoy has reached 63KM on the forest service road. 2 shuttle buses, 40 vehicles, K-9 units. Sleydo' and others remain at Coyote Camp on the territory, and the road to the drill site is still blocked. RCMP is jamming the radios.
9:06 am, Nov 19, 2021:
An RCMP convoy (including 3 shuttle buses, 3 shuttle vans, 20-30 pickups, skidoos, surveillance truck, K-9 units) has reached 63KM on the forest service road in unceded Wet'suwet'en territory, entrance gate to Gidimt'en Coyote Camp.
9:12am, Nov 19, 2021:
RCMP Helicopter circling Coyote Camp
9:40am, Nov 19, 2021:
Court date in Smithers, BC for yesterday's arrestees on Wet'suwet'en territory has been postponed until 1:30pm.
9:46am, Nov 19, 2021:
RCMP helicopter landed on the road outside of Coyote Camp, 63KM on access road. Dropped off a team, then helicopter departed.
9:49am, Nov 19, 2021:
Convoy of RCMP advancing up service road entrance at 63km and 2 helicopters confirmed dropping teams behind the blockades, attempting to surround the Coyote Camp.
10:25am, Nov 19, 2021:
Heavily armed RCMP have breached Coyote Camp entrance.
10:26am, Nov 19, 2021:
RCMP tactical team waiting at entrance to Coyote Camp, armed with helmets, K9s, and assault weapons.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=270241181724393
10:36am, Nov 19, 2021:
Coastal GasLink workers coming up towards Coyote Camp, behind a line of militarized RCMP.
10:40am, Nov 19, 2021:
CGL excavator, flanked by militarized RCMP and a large convoy of CGL workers currently removing a log pile barricade at the entrance to Coyote Camp
10:43am, Nov 19, 2021:
2 confirmed tactical RCMP officers in the bushes. Another standing near the entrance to Coyote Camp with a K-9 unit, near hanging red dresses.
10:46am, Nov 19, 2021:
RCMP are enforcing a media blackout at "exclusion zone" at 4KM on Wet'suwet'en territory, blocking media outlets including APTN.
10:49am, Nov 19 2021:
RCMP cut the generator at Coyote Camp. 2 RCMP approaching the tiny house with assault weapons drawn.
10:50am, Nov 19, 2021:
RCMP have cut cords to the radios at the tiny house in Coyote Camp. Land defenders inside are now communicating on handhelds.
10:51am, Nov 19, 2021:
RCMP have cut internet, radio, and all communications from Coyote Camp. Standing outside a barricaded tiny house containing unarmed Wet'suwet'en women with assault weapons.
10:52am, Nov 19, 2021:
Militarized RCMP with assault weapons have surrounded the tiny house at Coyote Camp, after cutting all internet, radios, and comms.
11:15am, Nov 19, 2021:
Heavy machinery was stationed by RCMP and CGL near the bus at Coyote Camp. Lights from a militarized tactical team down the hill.
11:18am, Nov 19, 2021:
Drums and prayers up at Unist'ot'en territory (66KM) as militarized RCMP convoy violently raids neighbouring Gidimt'en Coyote Camp (63KM)
11:32am, Nov 19, 2021:
RCMP tactical team surrounding Tiny House, Coyote Camp: told people inside they were in breach of CGL injunction. Gidimt'en spokesperson Sleydo countered that they would need a warrant to enter. RCMP backed off temporarily.
11:36am, Nov 19, 2021: Wet'suwet'en Law dictates unceded Indigenous people permitted to build cabins anywhere on their territory. Canadian law dictates police are required to present a warrant to enter private residences. RCMP have surrounded the tiny house at 63KM.
11:45am Nov 19, 2021: Gidimt'en Dinϊ Ze' Woos en route to the forest road entrance with a journalist, attempting to enter now.
12:05pm, Nov 19, 2021:
2 RCMP snipers pointed at cabin on Coastal GasLink proposed drill pad site. 3 unarmed Indigenous women, including the daughter of Dinϊ Ze' Woos, trapped behind militarized police line.
12:14pm, Nov 19 2021:
5-6 RCMP headed towards Gidimt'en cabin. One has a long rifle. Tactical officer standing at the window of the cabin, moved back to the hill above. Sergeant Jason Charney among them.
12:21pm, Nov 19, 2021:
Bulldozer with CGL workers, flanked by RCMP moving up the hill towards Gidimt'en Coyote Camp.
RCMP machine guns pointed at the door of Gidimt'en tiny house at Coyote Camp, unarmed Indigenous women inside.
RCMP knocking on the door of Gidimt'en tiny house, pointing machine guns. Attempting to enter under Coastal GasLink injunction, do not have a warrant to enter. Media and comms blocked out.
RCMP breached Tiny House door with an axe and K9 unit.
RCMP breaking through the door of the cabin now, with tactical and K9 units, threatening to use chainsaw to extract unarmed Indigenous land defenders inside.
12:40pm, Nov 19, 2021:
Tiny House breached w/ axe and K9 unit by RCMP on behalf of CoastalGasLink. Cabin breached w/ chainsaw. Unarmed Indigenous women in both structures. No warrants. Heavy machinery and assault weapons on site. Media and communications were blocked.
1:26pm, Nov 19, 2021:
All communications have stopped coming through from Gidimt'en Coyote Camp (63KM) following the RCMP raid.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=436545091281128
Court update: 5 of the arrestees from yesterday's genocidal militarized RCMP invasion did not sign undertaking and will have court Monday in Prince George. The rest are being released now.
3:08pm, Nov 19, 2021:
More RCMP arrests are being made at 44KM on Gidimt'en territory now.
3:25pm, Nov 19, 2021:
4 more arrests confirmed at 44km in Gidimt'en territory. Unlawful arrests, no criminal charges. RCMP clearing checkpoint for CGL pipeline. Sleydo’s husband Cody was arrested while observing events at 44km. He was far from the road and not blocking anyone. He wanted to show his wife support as she was being arrested.
Illegal Arrest of Sleydo’s Husband, Cody Merriman (Haida Nation):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAYzG_-Ye4
Later on Nov 19, 2021:
Dinï Ze’ Woos (with accompanying media) is denied entry to his own territory at 28km on the Morice FSR by police exclusion zone despite allowing CGL traffic through.
RCMP blocks Hereditary Chief Woos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2plM3uHH8E
November 28th, 2021:
Gitxsan Huwilp Government evicted Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine and Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations, for failing to represent their views. Cullen's provincial mandate includes "lasting and meaningful reconciliation".
November 29th, 2021
7am: A fire is erected on the road at Lamprey Creek Bridge (44km) and CGL work traffic is stopped. 2 arrests are made making 36 arrests on the yintah in total since Coyote Camp was established on September 25, 2021.
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Wet’suwet’en land defender arrestees received cruel treatment in jail, prison, and court.
On November 20, arrestees were transferred from Smithers to Prince George, a 5-6 hours drive away. Reports from arrestees on police misconduct included excessive use of force, insults, rape jokes, and racial slurs. Arrestees reported being deameaned, tortured, humiliated, and starved in jail and prison. Trans people were placed in cells not matching their gender identities. Indigenous people reported being placed in dog kennels.
In Burns Lake, on Wet’suwet’en Laksilyu clan yintah, the RCMP wagon carrying arrested land defenders and reporters en route to the Prince George prison intentionally drove into a crowd of Indigenous people in a crosswalk, knocking a Wet'suwet'en elder to the ground.
On November 22, a solidarity rally was held where drumming, singing, and dancing took place outside the Prince George courthouse in support of jailed Wet’suwet’en land defenders.
The conditions set forth by the court are human rights violations to Indigenous peoples. Those arrested are all facing charges of civil contempt for breaching the terms of a BC Supreme Court injunction granted to Coastal GasLink (CGL). CGL sought a number of conditions for release, including denying many arrestees access to a vast area of Wet’suwet’en territories. The proposed ‘exclusion zone’ is the whole Morice West Forest Service Road or any other areas accessed by the Morice Forest Service Road. Wet'suwet'en people (as determined by CGL) may be exempt from the exclusion zone for "cultural activities" (as defined by the RCMP), while being subjected to 'culture-free zones' around CGL work sites.
CGL asked Sleydo’ to provide documentation to “prove” she is Wet’suwet’en, and sought conditions that would bar her from returning to her home on Wet’suwet’en Yintah where her, her husband Cody Merriman (Haida nation, who was also arrested), and her three children live. CGL also challenged Chief Woos’s daughter Jocelyn Alec’s status as a Wet’suwet’en person because she has Indian Act status with her mother’s First Nation. The Indian Act is patriarchal and does not determine identity or belonging to a community.
According to Jen Wickham, media coordinator of Gidimt’en Checkpoint: “Coastal GasLink’s proposed conditions of release are punitive, unreasonable and, in targeting Sleydo’ and Jocelyn, completely racist and sexist. Allowing a private corporation to determine two Indigenous womens’ identities and allowing this corporation to deny our inherent rights to be Wet’suwet’en on our territory is a very dangerous precedent. This is the colonial gendered violence that is the root of the crisis of MMIWG2S. Even though Coastal GasLink is trying to intimidate us through the colonial court system, we are Wet’suwet’en Strong. Under the governance of our Hereditary Chiefs, there will be no pipeline on our Yintah.”
In granting an injunction to Coastal GasLink, Justice Church recognized that the Wet’suwet’en are “posing significant constitutional questions” but said that “this is not the venue for that analysis.” However, the 1997 Supreme Court of Canada Delgamuukw-Gisdaywa ruling clearly affirmed that Aboriginal title - the right to exclusively use and occupy land - has never been extinguished across 55,000 square kilometers of Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan territories.
States Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs:
“Industry’s reliance on the racist and oppressive legal weapon of injunctions is a way to maintain the continued dispossession and criminalization of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples should not have to comply with industry and government decisions that deny our Indigenous rights. By dragging us through court and using injunctions against us, our Indigenous rights are being violated and are given less consideration than climate-destroying corporations. We are calling for the release of all Wet’suwet’en land defenders, and for BC and Canada to uphold Indigenous Title and Rights and institute a moratorium on fossil fuel expansion in the wake of clear and present climate catastrophe - including LNG which is not clean energy and is a non-renewable fossil fuel.”
"I do not see any reconciliation in this. For our brothers and sisters of all Indigenous organizations, let this be a sign that reconciliation in their eyes is really the white paper in disguise."
-Gidimt'en Dinï Ze’ Woos
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The Coyote Camp re-occupation of Cas Yikh Gidimt’en Yintah was an historic 56 days long.
Beginning in September 2021, Gidimt’en and supporters worked tirelessly to establish and fortify Coyote Camp, blocking the pathway of the proposed CGL pipeline. Welcomed to the territory by Dinï ze’ Woos, the house Chief of Cas Yikh house of the Gidimt’en Clan, many guests arrived to support the effort to save Wedzin Kwa, our sacred and uncontaminated water source. We took back the land that is rightfully ours from our oil and gas industry oppressors, and we remain steadfast in our decolonial struggle for self-determination. We are unceded, undefeated, sovereign and victorious.
TC Energy’s project Coastal GasLink (CGL) has proposed a fracked gas pipeline cutting across Wet’suwet’en traditional territories, tunneling under the Wedzin Kwa. Starting in Dawson Creek, the pipeline's route crosses through the Canadian Rockies and other mountain ranges on its route to Kitimat, where the gas is intended to be exported across the Pacific Ocean to Asian markets. Our re-occupation blocked a critical piece of construction, representing continued resistance over several years against the corporate-envisioned “energy corridor” through the region. The completion of this project 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.
“Liquefied natural gas” or “LNG” is an industry term that conceals the dirty truth of fracking, which the government, industry, media, and NGOs have aimed to silence in their relentless quest for profit. Toxic carcinogenic substances are used in the hydraulic fracturing process, and there have been thousands of gas transmission line accidents, injuries, and deaths. The damage caused by pipeline spills causes irreparable harm to the Earth and lifeways of our people.
The drill pad site was occupied September 25th as a testament to the willpower, resilience, and strength of spirit of our frontline Indigenous warriors. We cannot and will not give up this fight for our future. Despite escalated police brutality, threats, and daily harassment, Coyote Camp remained strong as we celebrated a hard-won 56 days of freedom on liberated land. We will not stand by while our territories are destroyed.
On January 4th, 2020, the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs collectively evicted Coastal GasLink from the territory from all 22,000 square kilometers. That eviction still stands today. The Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs have never ceded or surrendered this territory. That means that what we say goes. The eviction order from 2020 says that CGL has to remove themselves from the territory and not return. They have been violating this law for too long.
Our clan governance system has existed for thousands of years, through hundreds of years of genocide by the colonial state by so-called Canada. They’ve tried to tear our system down, killing our people, and we have survived.
The destruction of our territory has gone too far. Wetlands have been destroyed. Our animals have been sick. We need to protect what is left for all the future generations. CGL cannot be allowed to continue work on Wet’suwet’en territory. RCMP are not permitted to enter Wet’suwet’en territory. They are trespassers and they have to leave.
Wet’suwet’en law pre-dates Colonial Law. It has existed since time began in our territories, and we have that same fighting spirit that our ancestors fought so hard to keep alive in us so that we would be able to defend our future generations, so that we would continue to defend this land, and this river, and this water.
Even after the militarized raids and forced removal of our people, we have not given up the fight that Coyote Camp represented. “All Out for Wedzin Kwa” means that we need all nations, all accomplices, all allies and supporters to get your boots on the ground, come to yintah and enforce Wet’suwet’en law, take action where you live, spread the word, and stop Coastal GasLink!
FOR AN EXTENDED DAILY BREAKDOWN OF EVENTS, FOLLOW THESE LINKS:
WEEK 1: Sept 21-30, 2021
WEEKS 2-3: OCT 1 -18, 2021
ONE MONTH VICTORY and BACKGROUND
DAY 50: NOV 14
“We don't have to be armed. We use our voice and our bodies and people can shut it down…We also have a responsibility to our family...And that's where we stand...because this river- we want it for our children and our families.”
- Eve, Wet’suwet’en land defender and daughter of Dinï ze' Woos:
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Haudenosaunee and Gitxsan Warriors Showed up in Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders.
A delegation of Haudenosaunee people, including Skyler Williams from Six Nations,Mohawk, Wolf Clan, and 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 Wedzin Kwa for all future generations.
Skyler, in a discussion with Sleydo’ on Gidimt’en territory:
“The Haudenosaunee people are here in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en, to amplify, to support, to do whatever it is that we need to do in order to make sure that our people are taken care of, and that RCMP isn't continuing to brutalize people that are, you know, doing what they can to protect their lands for future generations...
We're sick and tired of watching our children being ripped out of our homes and our lands being destroyed and our water being poisoned. And the fact that we don't get to be who we are because we'll get thrown in jail just for trying to be who we are as Indigenous People.
Regardless of all their cops and courts and guns and jails, there ain't nothing that's going to dissuade people from understanding that connection to the land. That connection to the land for us is something that you can't jail that away. You can't beat that away. You can't residential school that away, that connection that we have to each other. There's nothing that they can do to take that away from us...
When our Confederacy chiefs pass a law that says that we're going to stand behind and support Wet'suwet'en people, that means that's forever...There needs to be some solidarity. There needs to be some unity within indigenous communities across the country...
If you can't get here to get boots on the ground...then we need to be making sure that we are on every bit of colonial infrastructure.
Haudenosaunee Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI6DiZot2X0
Yintah Talks With Our Haudenosaunee Relatives:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULWQTtK50tI
Eve and Shilo: Familial Alliances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCjyKsB3kUc
Gitxsan All Clans Rail Blockade:
November 15 2021: The Gitxsan, ancient allies of the Wet'suwet'en, erected an All-Clans Rail Blockade in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en, citing their blockade was in response to the infringement of Gitxsan-Wet'suwet'en rights and title by both CN Rail and Coastal GasLink.
Our Gitxsan allies need our support! Our alliance is strong and ancient. They stood with us and continue to take action as we have been repeatedly invaded and removed from our lands.
We ask all our supporters and allies to assist them as well. The state removed them from their lax'yip and wants to criminalize them for acting on their laws and protocols!
Please show them some love, check out their beautiful video, donate to their legal fund, and share to as many people as possible!
Gitxsan Land Defenders' Legal Fund:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/gitxsan-land-defenders-legal-fund
EMT and PayPal: Spookw@protonmail.com
"To our Allies and Supporters,
This is an urgent fundraising appeal on behalf of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and supporters, who in February 2020 answered the call to the people of Canada to uphold the Aboriginal title of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs whose unceded traditional territories were being encroached upon by the Coastal Gas Link Pipeline. Many Gitxsan felt obligated to act, as for millennia they have been allies of the Wet’suwet’en and had formed a modern alliance in defense of the traditional lands of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en in the Delgamuukw/Gisday Wa court case.
I, Chief Spookw, Norman Stephens of the Lax Gibuu (Wolf) clan and many others set up a blockade on a major highway and railway running through the town of New Hazelton, which is on my unceded traditional territory. Subsequently, we were arrested and identified in the legal case, “Canadian National Railway v. John Doe and Persons Unknown”. This is before the courts with the next appearance on December 6, 2021. The legal costs of this case are outstanding and growing.
We, the Gitxsan land defenders, request your monetary support for continued defense of our unceded lands, Aboriginal title and rights.
Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
Chief Spookw, Norman Stephens"
Join the WET'SUWET'EN RESISTANCE!
The Wet’suwet’en resistance to colonial Canada and genocidal CGL on Cas Yikh Gidimt’en Territory continues. We are still here. We are still throwing down. This battle will not be over until TC Energy cancels and denounces their genocidal colonial project, Coastal GasLink, and removes their man-camps and equipment from our territory.
Our way of life is at risk. Wedzin Kwa is the river that feeds all of Wet’suwet’en territory and gives life to our nation. We have a sacred responsibility to our children and to protect Wedzin Kwa, our clean drinking water, our salmon, and the right to be Wet'suwet'en for all future generations.
Dirty energy industries use the promise of “jobs” as a primary argument to force impoverished communities, who need money, into accepting their destructive plans. But these promises are usually broken, and the fallout is irreversible. Even for such massive projects as the one proposed here there are very few permanent jobs for local residents. And there are no jobs on a dead planet.
90% of profits go to the company shareholders, in the amount of hundreds of billions of dollars, while our people do all the work and face all the consequences. Should we settle for crumbs from the industry’s feasting table? Or preserve the “critical infrastructure” of our water, air, and lands for the next seven generations?
We call on all nations, allies, accomplices, and supporters everywhere to RISE UP in solidarity. We must employ all the collective strength in our hearts and minds to stop the machine of the global empire that is destroying us. The time on the world clock is NOW to unify around our common goal as beings on this planet, to honor Indigenous sovereignty and put an end to end of history! We are in this fight for the long haul and we will not back down. This pipeline will never be built. Join the WET'SUWET'EN RESISTANCE!
Take
Action:
🔥 COME TO CAMP.
Come to the land NOW. There is still an immediate need for boots on the ground.
Fill out the registration form on yintahaccess.com.
🔥 SOLIDARITY ACTIONS.
DEC 20 WEEK OF ACTION TOOLKIT: https://bit.ly/3IYHKBR
Find or host a solidarity rally near you. Consider hosting a rally at the site of a regulating, insurance or investment office. Send a direct message to those permitting and backing this project that Coastal GasLink is trespassing on Wet’suwet’en lands, and this pipeline will not go through.
🔥 SOLIDARITY STATEMENTS.
Issue a solidarity statement from your organization or group.
Email to: yintahaccess@gmail.com
🔥 PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT, BANKS, AND INVESTORS.
yintahaccess.com/take-action-1
💩 Government 💩
BC Oil and Gas Commission (2950 Jutland Rd, Floor 6, Victoria BC): WEBSITE
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer BC Oil & Gas Commission: Paul Jeakins; (250 419 4411), paul.jeakins@bcogc.ca
Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development: WEBSITE
Katrine Conroy; (250 381 6240), flnr.minister@gov.bc.caEnvironmental 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
🤡 CGL Security 🤡
👿 Banks 👿
Australia: National Australia Bank
Canada: ATB Financial, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Western Bank, CIBC, Export Development Canada, National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, TD
China: Bank of China, China Construction Bank, ICBC
Germany: KfW IPEX-Bank, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
Japan: Mizuho, MUFG, SMFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank
Singapore: United Overseas Bank
South Korea: Kookmin Bank
Spain: CaixaBank
US: Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Raymond James, Truist Securities (formerly SunTrust Robinson Humphrey)
🚫 Investors 🚫
TC Energy (formerly TransCanada), is a major North American fossil fuel infrastructure company — and promoter of the now-dead Keystone XL pipeline.
KKR is a publicly-traded American global investment firm headquartered in NYC, with USD $429 billion in assets under management as of June 2021. This purchase was made in partnership with South Korea’s state-run pension fund, the National Pension Service of Korea (NPS).
AIMCo manages USD $118 billion in assets on behalf of 32 Alberta pension, endowment, and government funds. It is a Crown corporation, which in this case means that it is owned by the government of Alberta.
👎 Partners 👎
Learn more at “Who’s banking the Coastal GasLink pipeline?”
🔥 DONATE: DONATE HERE
🔥 CREATE: If you are a musician, please write and record a piece for Wet’suwet’en Hibi C’in!
Hibi C’in is a collection of songs made in solidarity with the land defenders & water protectors of Wet’suwet’en yintah. Send submissions to: wetsuwetenhibicin@gmail.com
🔥 SHARE: Spread the word about our struggle with news and social media outlets.
We are fortunate and grateful that our struggle is being amplified! However, many fraudulent accounts get created when the media picks up a story like ours. We ask supporters to confirm that they are ONLY sharing talking points and directing donations to our official pages, listed here:
Website: yintahaccess.com
IG: @yintah_access
Twitter: @Gidimten
Facebook: @wetsuwetenstrong
Youtube: Gidimten Access Point
TikTok: GidimtenCheckpoint
RallyUp: https://go.rallyup.com/wetsuwetenstrong
Use the hashtags:
#WetsuwetenResistance #DivestCGL
#ShutDownCanada #WetsuwetenStrong #AllOutForWedzinKwa #ExpectUs
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Michael Toledano | Amber Braken @ TheNarwhal | Melissa Cox | Dan Loan
INDEX
WET’SUWET’EN WORDS
Dinï ze' - Hereditary Chief (man)
Kwa - River
Kwe - Creek
Ts’ake ze’ - Hereditary Chief (woman)
Yintah - Territory
ACRONYMS
BCOGC - BC Oil and Gas Commission
RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police
CGL - Coastal Gaslink
BCOGC - BC Oil and Gas Commission
C-IRG - Community-Industry Response Group
MMIW - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
MFSR - Morice Forest Service Road
EAO - Environmental Assessment Office