Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs denied access to Woos territory

Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs were upholding their responsibilities and monitoring Woos' territory. They were denied access from the Coastal GasLink security and RCMP were present to read them the injunction and threaten them with arrest. Their reasoning was they would not allow our cameraperson on site as media is "not allowed".

recmp harassment summer 2022

Over the last two months there have been 5 arrests, including assault with pepper spray, during so called "routine" traffic stops. Wet'suwet'en people and their supporters are being targeted by the RCMP in an ongoing intimidation and harassment campaign meant to deter us from occupying our own territory. C-IRG, the RCMP and Forsythe security work in collaboration to carry out Coastal GasLink's wishes to have us removed from our own yintah by force and psychological warfare tactics.

RCMP Harassment at 44 km

RCMP have continued their daily harassment on Cas Yikh yintah, which is under the authority of Woos. They refuse to accept that this is a home site with a civic address, and ignorantly call it ‘public land’. Since March 21st RCMP have been breaking and entering the property and stealing chains we use to protect ourselves from their trespass. They continually threaten arrest, ticket drivers with outrageous claims, they target non-industry vehicles and pull them over on the roads, and attempt to intimidate Wet’suwet’en women, elders and our guests. The RCMP have explicitly stated they are there to prevent a build up of activity here. They want to try and scare off anyone that dare to stand by the Hereditary Chiefs and their reclamation of our yintah! Their tactics resemble military psy-ops and that of a fascist government, not the ‘reconciliation’ all levels of government claim.

Sound the Alarm for Wet’suwet’en

Gidimt’en Checkpoint held a mass Zoom call on Thursday, May 26, 4 pm Pacific Time/7 pm Eastern Time, to “alert friends and allies from coast to coast that Wet’suwet’en people need their help to stop the drilling under their sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa.” More than 2500 people registered for the event to hear from Sleydo’, Gidimt’en Checkpoint Spokesperson, Chief Woos of the Gidimt’en Clan, and Chief Na’Moks of the Tsayu Clan.

Cody and Winih Confront RCMP

For over 2 months the RCMP CIRG unit has carried out a daily harassment & intimidation campaign on Gidimt'en territory. On Sunday, May 15 as we started the build of a new balhats (feast hall) at our Tsel Kiy Kwa village site with elders and children, over a dozen officers were dispatched to surveil & criminalize us. This day should have been a celebration. A representation of our governance system on the yintah despite being outlawed and all the government’s attempts to disrupt the transmission of culture and our laws to our children. When confronted with the RCMP’s history of stealing Indigenous children to send them to residential schools & questioned about why none of their deaths are being investigated, despite excessive policing of our territory, officers fell silent. #RCMPofftheyintah

rcmp break into gidimt’en camp

CW: Police Harassment RCMP have continued their daily harassment on Cas Yikh yintah, which is under the authority of Woos. They refuse to accept that this is a home site with a civic address, and ignorantly call it ‘public land’. Since March 21st RCMP have been breaking and entering the property and stealing chains we use to protect ourselves from their trespass. They continually threaten arrest, ticket drivers with outrageous claims, they target non-industry vehicles and pull them over on the roads, and attempt to intimidate Wet’suwet’en women, elders and our guests. The RCMP have explicitly stated they are there to prevent a build up of activity here. They want to try and scare off anyone that dare to stand by the Hereditary Chiefs and their reclamation of our yintah! Their tactics resemble military psy-ops and that of a fascist government, not the ‘reconciliation’ all levels of government claim.

gidimt’en elders kicks out rcmp

March 10, 2021 - RCMP have been entering our village several times each day to harass, surveil, intimidate, and threaten our guests. When police came to her home at 4am, Gidimt'en Elder Auntie Janet confronted the officers and kicked them out of our camp. The Gidimt'en Checkpoint is a reoccupation of unsurrendered Wet'suwet'en land, under the authority of Chief Woos. Canada and the RCMP have no authority on our unceded homelands, which Wet'suwet'en families continue to reclaim and occupy.

police harassment at gidimt’en checkpoint march 2022

CW: Police Harassment The last couple days the BC RCMP have been coming into camp, multiple officers at a time, to walk around harassing people claiming "crown land" patrols. There have been threats of arrest, recording of vehicle information, and intimidation. This particular video is at 1am. They have been coming in multiple times a day with threats to keep coming every day. Their motivation seems to be purely intimidation. They have no reason to continue this behaviour other than to be bullies. They have been told by the Hereditary Chiefs they are not welcome in Gidimt'en territory. They are trespassing on sovereign land and refuse to accept the 1997 Delgamuukw decision that upheld our Hereditary Chiefs jurisdiction and title. This is not something new. We will continue to hold our ground in the face of police harassment and the violence of the state.

3 years of militarized raids on wet’suwet’en yintah (rbc)

During a meeting with Royal Bank of Canada and City National Bank executives on February 25th, 2022 we closed the meeting by sharing footage of RCMP police violence and arrests against peaceful Indigenous land defenders over the last three years, as recently as November 2021. RBC is funding the destruction of our yintah and way of life. Our Hereditary Chiefs made the following demands: 1. Revoke financing of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, including current loans; 2. Do not provide a penny more for Coastal GasLink, including no new loan arrangements or financial services of any kind; 3. Have a follow-up meeting with Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs by March 11, 2022.

drop the charges!

Today, February 14th 2022, a day that we honour and remember all our relatives that go missing and are found murdered, our land defenders are attending court for upholding Wet’suwet’en law. We live by our ancestors teachings and the laws that have been in place forever. We will defend our lives and way of living, as all those that came before have done, so that our children will not have to fight the same battles. We are so grateful that so many nations and allies have stood with us. Their bravery and conviction will always be remembered. Today we stand united before a court that refuses to recognize its’ own rulings. Today we also support our Likhtsamisyu and Gitxan relatives as they appear in the same court for also upholding Wet’suwet’en law. We are all one. This is a first appearance for all those that were arrested on November 18/19 2021. There are two others facing charges that were arrested and violently removed from Coyote Camp on Cas Yikh yintah appearing today as well. The criminalization of our people and the blatant racism of the so-called justice system is especially pronounced now as we see how non-indigenous people are treated. The violence used against Indigenous women protecting Indigenous land is intentional. The kid gloves used in Ottawa is intentional. We will not allow this to continue for our children to grow up with.

woos relfects on colonial violence

In the words of Hereditary Chief Woos', "What is violence? A loaded gun pointed at your head." The RCMP were created to suppress and control Indigenous people. They are still being used for this purpose. They came into our villages, burning and pillaging, a century ago and they do the same now. The colonial state laws are designed to work for the RCMP and those in power, and to keep the majority pacified and the oppressed silent and afraid. But we are not afraid. We are not alone. We know the world is watching and that they see the investors and the state behind this violence and corruption, we know the world sees this as it is - an extension of the residential school and Indian Act system, forcing their version of consultation with bulldozers and armies of mercenaries. This is Canada's legacy. Reconciliation at gunpoint. Our legacy will be standing proud on our Yintah, with the clean water of the Wedzin Kwa behind us.

holidays at coyote camp

November 18th, 2021 marked the first day of a two-day militarized raid on Gidimt’en territory to violently push forward Coastal GasLink's LNG pipeline. One month later land defenders retook Coyote Camp! Snipers, attack dogs, assault weapons, and arrests will not stop us. We will always stand against colonial violence. When CGL burned our cabin down, the embers ignited the fires of justice! We will never back down from the fight to protect Wedzin Kwa for our future generations. We are grateful for each other, we are grateful for all your support, and amidst ongoing colonial violence we are holding space for joy, laughter, and celebration of our magical yintah.

skiy ze cabin burning

The history of cabin burning goes back to contact in Wet’suwet’en yintah. The invaders wanted free access to our territory for resources and land. This has not changed in 150 years! When the RCMP removed our people at gunpoint Coastal GasLink then came in and destroyed what was left, bulldozing our kitchen, wall tents, and burning down our Skiy ze’ cabin that was blessed by Dinï ze’ Woos. This is not a thing of the past. Our people remember this happening in our life times. It happened less than a month ago. The tactics are old and we will not stand for them anymore. Stand with us. Show industry and the RCMP that we will not be burned out. We will not back down. We will continue to do as we have done forever and defend our land and water for all our children.

we will always defend wedzin kwa

We have seen three violent invasions of our yintah by the state and their para-military troops. Yet our people stand strong and will never give up defending Wedzin Kwa for all our children. We enforce Wet’suwet’en law, passed in our balhats by our hereditary chiefs. Join the resistance.

house of skiy ze raid

On November 19th the CIRG/ERT RCMP invaded Coyote Camp and the House of Skïy ze’. Jocey and Jay were living in the cabin that Woos, Joceys’ father, blessed and gave to the engaged couple. The state does not have authority or jurisdiction over Wet’suwet’en yintah, over the Wet’suwet’en people, or Wedzin Kwa. These violences and violations against our people will not go unanswered! We are still here, we will never surrender until the yintah is free and Wedzin Kwa is safe. Join us.

rcmp raid coyote camp

CONTENT WARNING: POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN

Turn on CC to view in: Spanish, French, Italian, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Punjabi The RCMP violently raided unceded Gidimt’en territory on November 19th, 2021, removing Indigenous women from their land at gunpoint on behalf of TC Energy’s proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline. The raid involved about 50 police, including 20 tactical officers in green military fatigues, with assault weapons and attack dogs who surrounded the camp. During the raid, the RCMP breached two structures - Skïy ze’ Cabin, a cabin built on the proposed drill pad site, and a nearby tiny home. RCMP cut the camp’s satellite internet and radio antenna cords. The police attempted to enter the tiny house, but Cas Yikh supporting chief Sleydo' demanded to see a warrant. Police then broke down the door with an axe and a chainsaw belonging to the land defenders, and arrested everyone inside, including Sleydo’. Police also entered Skïy ze’ cabin with a chainsaw and arrested everyone there, including Dinï ze’ Woos’ daughter, Jocey. For 56 days, Gidimt’en land defenders (under the direction of Dinï ze’ Woos) re-occupied their ancestral Cas Yikh territory, blocking the Coastal Gaslink pipeline from drilling beneath Wet’suwet’en headwaters. The land reclamation known as Coyote Camp was established to protect the sacred Wedzin Kwa. Over the course of November 18th-19th, 32 people were arrested, including 3 journalists and 3 Legal Observers. All land defenders have now been released from prison, with a February 14th, 2022 court date.

RCMP blocks Hereditary Chief Woos

On the day of the illegal militarized raid on Coyote Camp Dinï ze’ Woos along with media were blocked from accessing unceded Wet’suwet’en land. Meanwhile the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) facilitated unfettered access of the territory to Coastal GasLink. “From what I understand there’s a military style raid that happened up on the drill pad site and that machine guns and sharp shooters were pointing right at the cabins. This is Giditmten territory.” -Dinï ze’ Woos (Gidimt’en) This project does not and never will have the consent of our hereditary chiefs. RCMP upholds colonial laws and utterly disregards Wet’suwet’en law. We will uphold Wet’suwet’en law. No pipelines will go through our yintah.

illegal arrest of sleydo’s husband cody merriman (haida nation)

After the arrest of Sleydo’, Cody was observing police activity at Gidimt’en Checkpoint and was arrested while documenting with a live FB video. Under Wet’suwet’en law husbands have responsibilities to their wives territory. These include access and providing. Cody has been participating in our bahlats and supporting Sleydo’ in protecting the yintah for their children and future grandchildren. Cody was surrounded by militarized police and arrested with three other supporters who were not in violation of the injunction. We call on everyone to stand up against these injustices.

Violent RCMP Raid on Unarmed Gidimt'en Checkpoint

"CONTENT WARNING: POLICE VIOLENCE. On November 18th, dozens of heavily armed RCMP officers raided the Gidimt'en Checkpoint at the 44 km marker on the Morice Forest Service Road. Wet'suwet'en land defenders and their supporters have been controlling access to this road to stop Coastal Gaslink from drilling under Wedzin Kwa, their sacred headwaters. 15 people were arrested on November 18th in an invasion on the Gidimt'en yintah, including 2 Wet'suwet'en elders, 3 Haudenosaunee members, 3 legal observers and 1 journalist. The RCMP are actively raiding Coyote Camp, dropping RCMP behind the blockades with helicopters. All eyes on Wet'suwet'en."

As RCMP build up begins, Sleydo' addresses supporters

On November 17, 2021, with police approaching the territory and blocking access, land defenders gathered around the fire, singing songs, drumming, and gathering strength from what this movement has been and has become.

Chief woos: we mean no harm to anyone

Dini'ze Woos, Chief of Cas Yikh addresses Coastal Gaslink eviction and forest service road closure. "We need to listen to Dinï Ze Woos, he is right, this is very serious situation today. We need to unify together as Wet’suwet’en people.if you ever stood on the shores of Widzen Kwa and drank a cup of Water, counted the clean rocks on its bed, and watched the salmon migrate to their spawning creeks, know that the Ancestors also stood in the same spot as you are standing. Then you know why Cas Yikh is fighting to save this Sacred River. Join the dialogue offered by Dinï Ze Woos Frank Alec Jr. today." - Kaliset (Violet Gellenbeck)

Gidimt’en Takes Land Back!

On November 14, 2021, we took our land back. With our Haudenosaunee allies, we enforced our ancient trespass laws and have permanently closed access to our territory. The Morice Forest Service Road has been destroyed and access to Coastal Gaslink is no longer possible. We are upholding our responsibility to defend our sacred headwaters and put an end to the destruction of the Yintah. We will never give up. Join the resistance and come to the yintah.

Pipeline Workers Served Mandatory Evacuation From Gidimt'en Land

This morning, we upheld our laws and issued a mandatory evacuation order for all pipeline workers trespassing on our territory. We are enforcing the eviction order from January 2020, where Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs representing all clans of our nation stood together and removed Coastal GasLink from our lands. We will never abandon our children to live in a world with no clean water. We uphold our ancestral responsibilities. We continue to protect our yintah and invite all of our supporters to join us on the ground or to take action where you stand. There will be no pipelines on Wet'suwet'en territory. #AllOutForWedzinKwa #ResponsibiliyNotRights #WetsuwetenStrong

Get Your Boots on the Ground: Enforcing Wet'suwet'en Law, Day 50

Get Your Boots on the Ground: Enforcing Wet'suwet'en Law, Day 50 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. Enforcement of that eviction is critical to upholding Wet’suwet’en law. 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. 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. “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.

Coyote Camp Defended from RCMP

The RCMP attempted to come in to Coyote Camp and failed, for the first time since they were walked out by our Haudenosaunee relatives. At a time when world leaders, including Justin Trudeau, are feigning concern over impending climate chaos at the COP26 summit our yintah is being invaded for a fracked gas pipeline. Dinï ze’ Woos is the caretaker and only authority on these lands. We will not surrender. We have been tasked by our ancestors and Dinï ze’ and Tsakë ze’ with protecting Wedzin Kwa for the future generations. The government continues to enact genocide on our people and try to force through destruction without Free, Prior and Informed Consent. We will not allow it. We can not. Our responsibilities are too great. Join us. #AllOutForWedzinKwa #COP26 #TogetherForOurPlanet

RBC IS KILLING ME Oct 29th Global Day of Action Wet’suwet’en Territories Cas Yikh Yintah

RBC IS KILLING ME Oct 29th Global Day of Action Wet’suwet’en Territories Cas Yikh Yintah Gidimt’en Checkpoint is turning up the heat and putting pressure on the top five funders of the Coastal GasLink project, like RBC that continue to violate Wet’suwet’en Sovereignty and criminalize Wet’suwet’en title. These projects spend millions of dollars on Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who harass and restrict Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and members from their territories. The RCMP’s violent raids with lethal overwatch and removing us from our own lands are in direct opposition to Indigenous constitutional rights and UNDRIP. #RBCIsKillingMe represents the irreversible destruction that this pipeline brings to the Lands, Salmon, Waters, Our People and all earths inhabitants. It is all of our responsibility to stand up and save the earth and our future generations. RBC is the biggest funder of fossil fuels in Canada. The company has poured over $200 Billion into fossil fuel investments since the Paris climate agreement was signed. Let’s let these Investors know to Divest in projects that contribute to Climate Chaos and to STOP KILLING US! On November 1st, the UN climate conference in Glasgow (COP26) will begin, with a focus on climate finance. This provides us with a crucial opportunity to pressure RBC into ceasing fossil fuel investment and respecting Indigenous rights.

WET'SUWET'EN STRONG, ONE MONTH ON: Coyote Camp Victory on the Gidimt’en Frontline

WET'SUWET'EN STRONG, ONE MONTH ON: Coyote Camp Victory on the Gidimt’en Frontline We're celebrating over one month of Wet'suwet'en re-occupation on Cas Yikh yintah, where Coastal GasLink plans to destroy Wedzin Kwa. Our call out for allies was answered! We have boots on the ground and ongoing solidarity actions from our relatives all across so-called canada. This struggle is far from over but we will never give up. We need your support now! Join us at camp or organize where you are. United, we will no longer endure genocide against our people!

Chief Dsta’hyl has been arrested

URGENT UPDATE: Chief Dsta’hyl has been arrested while fulfilling his role as Likht’samisyu Enforcement Officer on their yintah. Supporters are being read the injunction. We need boots on the ground!

Dinï ze' Woos Officially Opens Cabin at Coyote Camp

Following Wet'suwet'en tradition Dinï ze' Woos officially opens our cabin on the drillpad site and invites the ancestors to come and stand with us. Before contact, hundreds of thousands of us were here. We coexisted with the animals and protected the Wedzin Kwa since time immemorial. We will always defend Wedzin Kwa River. Dinï ze' Woos delivers a resolute message to CGL investors, "[CGL] said they were going to drill under this river...And that won't happen. We're not going to let that happen."

Haudenosaunee Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders

Following RCMP brutality (on behalf of TC Energy’s proposed Coastal GasLink project) on land defenders re-occupying traditional Wet’suwet’en territory in September 2021, members of the Haudenosaunee answered the call to show up in solidarity on the frontlines. The RCMP have not attempted to trespass on Coyote Camp and harass land defenders since October 11, when Haudenosaunee guests forced them back from the territory. Skylar Williams from Six Nations, Mohawk, Wolf Clan in discussion with Sleydo, spokesperson of the Gidumt’en of Wet’suwet’en nation:“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...to protect their lands for future generations...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.”

We know that we are stronger united.

We know that we are stronger united. That is why the enemy is always trying to divide us. We won’t let them. All our allies and relatives know what we are up against and you all showed our collective strength in the past. We are all powerful people. Join us. We still need boots on the ground.

Eve and Shilo: Familial Alliances

"Me and Eve have a child together named after this territory - Cas Yikh." - Shilo (Six Nations), Dinï ze' Woos' son-in-law Cas Yikh was born from two nations coming together--Wet'suwet'en and Haudenosaunee--to defend our territories and our way of life. We know the colonizer's worst fear is that we unite and fight together. This pipeline will not go through. We will never give up.

Sleydo’ Addresses Investors and Financiers of Coastal GasLink PipeLine

Sleydo' Molly Wickham delivers a message to the investors and financiers for the Coastal GasLink and LNG Canada projects. If they continue to fund genocide against Indigenous people they will lose. Cut your losses now. #DivestCGL #AllOutForWedzinKwa

SLEYDO’ IN CONVERSATION WITH DONNA SILVERSMITH OF SNIPE CLAN, CAYUGA

Donna shares her reasons for coming to stand in solidarity with Gidimt’en Checkpoint. She expresses that the suffering of Indigenous People across Turtle Island are felt by everyone, and that we all must step up to end the violence against MMIW and the land for future generations. The water in her territories are so polluted, the animals are gone. It is for this reason that she is taking a stand against industry so Indigenous People can maintain their traditional lifestyles, can continue to hunt and fish.

Yintah Talks with our Haudenosaunee Relatives

Sleydo’ and our Haudenosaunee relatives discuss impacts of colonization, industry, RCMP and how we are painted by government and media to distract from our true goal of protecting our land and people. Indigenous people understand each other. We all face the same threats. It’s why we stand united with each other.

Haudenosaunee Kick RCMP out of the yintah

“You can’t push the Wet’suwet’en around!” and “This is Chief Woos’ territory!” can be heard as our Haudenosaunee relatives send the RCMP retreating from their daily harassment patrol at Coyote Camp. 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. “We can hear their war cries. Which is a beautiful sound. The allyship is beautiful.” -Sleydo’

Latest update from today from Sleydo’ and Shay at Coyote Camp.

Woos Welcomes Haudenosaunee

Dinï ze’ Woos welcomes our Haudenosaunee relatives and allies. 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’.

Update from coyote camp

We are still holding strong. RCMP came out yesterday and we know that their request to meet with Woos will not bear anything productive. We anticipate enforcement possibly this week. We encourage everyone to come out and show support at Coyote Camp and by taking action where you stand. Together we will win.

Dinï ze’ woos ceremonially welcomes supporters at coyote camp

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. We are ready. We ask you to join us. Organize. Resist. Win. #AllOutForWedzinKwa

Update from coyote camp

We are still holding strong. RCMP came out yesterday and we know that their request to meet with Woos will not bear anything productive. We anticipate enforcement possibly this week. We encourage everyone to come out and show support at Coyote Camp and by taking action where you stand. Together we will win.

WE’re Not going Anywhere

The newest addition of homes in Lhudis Bin yintah is now set up at the drill pad site near Wedzin Kwa. This site is where they wanted to do drilling, and build a tailings pond. It is near Woos’ smokehouse and our ceremonial pithouse. This project is not a done deal! We will always uphold our laws. Investors in this dead project need to pull their money now. “We’re not going anywhere. We’re digging in … We don’t give up.” - Sleydo’ Join us and come to the yintah. Organize. Take action where you stand. The time is now for all Indigenous people to rise and protect sovereignty!

We Fight For Our Children

For over 50 years, Wet’suwet’en children were taken from the land, from their families, and from Wedzin Kwa to attend residential schools. These “schools” were not to empower us, but to take the Indian, to take the Wet’suwet’en, out of the child. Many did not return and those who survived have fought for our right to all that we had been robbed of – land, language, culture, pride. Today, we continue to face state violence from governments and industry who still want our land to themselves. Their plans to eradicate us however, have failed and we are still here! Every day we remember. We carry that pain, that strength, and we work to rebuild our pride, to rebuild our nations and reconnect with our lands. On September 30th, we came together in a day of remembrance to honour the children, to remind ourselves that we will never give up/be defeated.

we need boots on the ground! Come to the Yintah!

We need boots on the ground! Come to the yintah even if just for the day locally. Snecalyegh to all those sacrificing for Wedzin Kwa and our future generations.

Woos calls for support

Early this morning Cas Yikh and supporters gained control of access to the site where they plan to drill underneath Wedzin Kwah! We are calling on all supporters to come out and stand with us. If you are not able to come then organize where you stand. The time is critical now to protect our sacred headwaters, where all the salmon spawn, and protect our clean drinking water! This project would kill not just our way of life but all living things when it leaks all the way downstream. We are upholding our responsibility as Wet'suwete'en people and fighting for everyone, for all the generations to come. Misiyh!

Coastal Gas Link Destroys Archeology site on cas Yikh territory

CW: Aggressive security block and inditimadate Indigenous woman.

On September 22, Gidimt'en Checkpoint spokesperson Sleydo’ attempted to monitor the destruction of an ancestral site, as it was destroyed by Coastal GasLink pipeline workers. She was met with physically aggressive and intimidating CGL security guards.

For the past week, Coastal Gaslink has fallen trees and used excavators to destroy Ts’elkay Kwe, an ancient village site that they call GbSs-8.

CGL security (https://forsythesecurity.ca) counselled the archeologists from Ecofor not to discuss the work or accept the Cease and Desist letter that was previously emailed to the company via Stacey McConnell (stacey.mcconnell@ecofor.ca). They blocked access to Sleydo’ which is a direct violation of their Environmental Assessment Certificate (eao.compliance@gov.bc.ca).

The work continues today as we hear constant chain saw work and extended helicopter flights taking place over the archeological site.

Our ancestors are under attack. Our people are under attack. Once they have completed this devastating work they will move to drill under our sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa.

gidimt’en matriarch confronts cgl workers

Coastal GasLink contractors came in and cleared trees and brush at our ancient site along Ts’elkay Kwe. They came escorted by RCMP. Cas Yikh matriarch tries to reason with them.

pipeline workers stopped from destroying archeological site

Coastal GasLink contractors trespassed again yesterday to destroy a culturally significant area to our people. When confronted by our chiefs, matriarchs, and supporters, CGL packed up and left the site.

ancient archeological site visited

Coastal GasLink and the BC Oil and Gas Commission, along with the Archeology Branch of the BC Government need to be held accountable. We have not and will not give permission for them to destroy our artifacts and erase us from the yintah. The site is not isolated but part of an ancient village site where our people would go to harvest lamprey eels, which are now on the species at risk list. We are still here! We refuse to become a species at risk as well. We are strong and proud and will fight for our children and future grandchildren.

wet’suwet’en hunting grounds under threat

Sleydo' gives an update on the hunting blind and work CGL is continuing while trespassing against an eviction by the Hereditary Chiefs. The harrassment and surviellance continues with the RCMP. The fight is still very much alive on the yintah.

Coast to Coast Call to Action

The Indigenous people of the land have been under attack ever since the first invaders came to our shores. We have been defending our lands and protecting our waters for generations. We have never stopped and we never will.

Our sacred relationships

Sleydo, Smogelgem and Shay discuss the importance of our relationships to the yintah, among our nations, and with our non human relatives. All the while CGL is continuing to commit genocide. Please continue to watch, share, and support in whatever way you can. They will not stop and neither will we. These companies only think of themselves. We have a sacred responsibility to continue in our ancestors footsteps fighting for the future Skiy ze'.

Stand against colonisation

There is so much happening across Turtle Island. We have relatives from coast to coast that are fighting for their lives and upholding their sacred responsibilities. We continue to fight for Wedzin Kwa and our right to be Wet'suwet'en. At this time we all need to stand together against the genocidal tactics of the colonizer! We need boots on the ground and feet in the street. We need to show them we will never surrender. Our ancestors fought for us and we will fight for the future generations so our children and grandchildren do not have to. Stand with us.

Hunting interrupted

Coastal GasLink (CGL) is clearing a pipeline right-of-way and planning to drill in one of our prime hunting areas. We are running out of time to get our food for the winter and we face constant harassment from CGL and RCMP when we go hunting. They are breaking Wet’suwet’en and international law by trespassing and trying to prevent us from accessing our territory. In this video Tsakë ze’ Sleydo’ Molly Wickham and her husband Cody Merriman are stopped multiple times by CGL and RCMP while they’re hunting. Cody’s responsibility to hunt and provide for his family is prescribed through 'indimenik (a spouse's responsibility). Nec'idilt'ës grants his right to access Molly’s territory. “They think that they’re convincing people that there’s just this one little path and that’s the only impact, but they don’t understand the cumulative impacts of everything that they’re doing on our territory and how that’s going to destroy our way of life.” -Tsakë ze’ Sleydo’ Molly Wickham, Gidimt’en Camp Spokesperson We deeply appreciate all of your support.

We are upholding wet’suwet’en law

In January 2020, we evicted Coastal GasLink from our Yin’tah. In February 2020, they invaded our territories at gun point for the second year in a row, and now they are trying to drill under our Wedzin Kwah river. Our eviction still stands. We are not impeding their injunction, we are upholding Wet’suwet’en law and protecting what is ours. “Over the past year Coastal GasLink has operated on our territories despite opposition to the project, which was confirmed in the balhats (feast hall) by all five clans. Coastal GasLink is in violation of Wet’suwet’en law. We must reassert our jurisdiction over these lands—our right to determine access and prevent trespass and the right to free, prior and informed consent as guaranteed by the UN Declaration of the Rights on Indigenous Peoples. The denial of these rights has resulted in irreparable harm to the land and our people.” -Tsakë ze’ Sleydo’ Molly Wickham, Gidimt’en Camp Spokesperson

Indigenous Hunting is being Threatened

As workers and police fill the yintah, our hunting season is threatened. In this video, our hunters follow an ancient game trail as they talk about the Wet'suwet'en laws that govern hunting on our yintah, and the impacts of colonization and industrialization on our hunting grounds. For more info visit www.yintahaccess.com and www.likhtsamisyu.com