Dear Chris, we are passing on this important message from our friend Sleydo’, spokesperson of Gidimt’en Checkpoint and Wet’suwet’en land defender (also known as Molly Wickham). Please read, RSVP, and share widely.
Dear friends, allies and comrades,
While we try to live out our daily lives and conduct cultural practices with our elders and children, police barge into our homes without permission — everyday, with at least six officers — intimidating us, surveilling us, illegally arresting, and detaining people on our own lands.
It's a story as old as the colonial violence against Indigenous peoples to steal land, resources, and wealth. The sad truth is, it’s what’s happening right now: They want to intimidate us off our land so Coastal GasLink can start drilling in less than one month under our sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa.
In March 2020, thousands of you took to the streets, railways, ports and highways to stand with Wet’suwet’en and demand Coastal GasLink cease construction. We made global headlines — forcing Justin Trudeau and John Horgan to commit to entering into discussions with Wet’suwet’en Hereditary chiefs. [1]
But they haven’t made any progress with us on those title discussions, haven’t stopped construction and haven’t pulled RCMP or CIRG off of our territories. In fact, things have gotten worse. The UN has issued yet another letter to the so-called governments of Canada and BC, calling for an end to police violence and to halt construction. [2]
We need your help to stop the drilling and make them listen, and we want to give you an update with all the information you need to act. Will you join me and Sound the Alarm for Wet’suwet’en on Thursday May 26 at 4 pm on Zoom? In this call, you’ll hear from Chief Woos, Chief Na'Moks, and myself and learn about what you can do to support us in our fight against CGL.
YES!
Can’t make it? Help promote the event!
Here are the details:
What: Sound The Alarm For Wet’suwet’en
When: Thursday May 26, 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET
Where: https://bit.ly/3LnPld7
The Supreme Court of Canada, under the Delgamuukw v. British Columbia legal case, recognized that the Wet’suwet’en people never ceded our title to our land. [3] Yet over and over, both the so-called governments of British Columbia and Canada have paid lip service to reconciliation, claiming they respect Indigenous peoples’ rights.
And now, we face losing our land, our water, our way of life. It’s why I’m reaching out now, because we need to raise the alarm so people everywhere know what is at stake, and rise up in massive opposition to help stop the drilling.
Will you join the call to Sound the Alarm for Wet’suwet’en on Thursday May 26 at 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET to learn how you can help stop the drilling and stand with Wet’suwet’en?
YES!
Can’t make it? Help promote the event!
The amount of pressure and stress I feel everyday knowing that my people and our land are under threat is made worse by the constant police presence — showing up at my house unannounced and questioning us for living our lives. My children are 2, 6 and 11 years old. They shouldn’t have to bear this burden — and they’ve done nothing to deserve this treatment.
At the same time, I feel immense hope. I believe in the thousands of people who have shared their outpouring of love and support for Wet’suwet’en. I’m energized by the beauty I see in the Wedzin Kwa river, everyday, and grateful for how the land provides for me, my family, and my community. Will you stand with me and join the call to Sound the Alarm for Wet’suwet’en on Thursday May 26?
YES!
With gratitude,
Sleydo’
Spokesperson for Gidimt’en Checkpoint, Cas Yikh House, Wet’suwet’en
Notes:
[1] Trudeau urges patience as Wet'suwet'en consider proposed land and title deal
[2] UN committee issues 3rd rebuke to B.C. and Canada over policing of Indigenous land defenders
[3] A Lay Person's Guide to DELG
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