John, 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.
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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.
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.
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. [ [link removed] ]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 me and other Wet’suwet’en
hereditary chiefs and learn about what you can do to support us in our
fight against CGL.
[ [link removed] ]YES, I will sign up for the call
[ [link removed] ]I can't make it, but I can share with my friends on Facebook
Here are the details:
What: Sound The Alarm For Wet’suwet’en
When: Thursday May 26, 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET
Where: [ [link removed] ][link removed]
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. 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.
[ [link removed] ]Will you join the call to Sound the Alarm for Wet’suwet’en on Thursday
May 26 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET to learn how you can help stop the drilling and
stand with Wet’suwet’en?
The amount of pressure and stress I feel everyday knowing that my people
and our land is 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 10 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?
[ [link removed] ]RSVP
[ [link removed] ]Share on Facebook
With gratitude,
Sleydo’, Spokesperson for Gidimt’en Checkpoint, Cas Yikh House,
Wet’suwet’en
More information:
[ [link removed] ]UN committee issues 3rd rebuke to B.C. and Canada over policing of
Indigenous land defenders
CBC. 11 May 2022.
[ [link removed] ]Trudeau urges patience as Wet'suwet'en consider proposed land and title
deal
CBC. 3 March 2020.
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