NDP BC invades sovereign Wet'suwet'en territory, RCMP arrest defenders
Sun, 2020-02-09 19:06
#52
Sun, 2020-02-09 20:35
#53
..reality is that the the feds & bc ndp collapsed just like the alta ndp did under corporate pressure.
The B.C. government and corporate lobbyists representing major resource industries sought the “surrender” of First Nations land rights immediately following the Delgamuukw decision, a precedent-setting legal ruling that established Aboriginal title to unceded land, according to Freedom of Information (FOI) documents obtained by The Narwhal.
The records, from B.C.’s Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, provide a glimpse for the first time of a corporate lobbying effort urging government to push First Nations to surrender their newly recognized title rights through modern treaties to achieve “certainty” for commercial interests.
Internal emails, memos and confidential briefing notes also show that, immediately after the Delgamuukw decision came down from the Supreme Court of Canada on Dec. 11, 1997, B.C. government officials discussed tactics to fight land rights with legal challenges, to curb direct action or litigation by First Nations and to use federal money intended for the healing of residential school survivors to make treaty negotiations more attractive.
The push for “certainty” for industry operating in B.C. remains a strong focus for government to this day.
The Delgamuukw decision — prompted by a case launched in the 1980s by Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and the neighbouring Gitxsan Nation — cuts to the heart of the Wet’suwet’en nation’s on-going opposition to Coastal GasLink’s plan to build a 670-kilometre fracked gas pipeline through the nation’s traditional territory to LNG export facilities in Kitimat.
In the decision, Supreme Court justices declared that nations like the Wet’suwet’en, who had never signed treaties, still hold unceded rights to their lands.
The threat of Aboriginal title
In early January Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs issued an eviction notice to Coastal GasLink after the B.C. Supreme court extended an injunction against members of the Wet’suwet’en and their supporters who are preventing the company from accessing contested work sites along the pipeline corridor near Houston, B.C. A year earlier, in January 2019, the RCMP enforced the injunction and arrested 14 people in a controversial move that drew international attention
Days after the eviction notice was served, Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs met with the B.C. RCMP’s commanding officer, deputy commissioner Jennifer Strachan.
Hoping to avert a repeat of last year’s much-criticized police action, Chief Hagwilnegh (Ron Mitchell) of the Wet’suwet’en’s Small Frog clan offered the deputy commissioner a piece of advice: consult the Delgamuukw decision.
“Read that, before you give out your orders,” he recalled telling her.
Although the Delgamuukw ruling happened almost 25 years ago it is still considered one of the most important rulings on Indigenous land rights in Canadian history.
For 150 years prior to the ruling, all levels of government insisted Aboriginal title had been extinguished and thus had no impact on decision-making.
quote:
Hagwilnegh, who worked as a translator for Elders testifying in court in their Wet’suwet’en language, remembered being hopeful that Aboriginal title would be reconciled with Crown title, as the federal Supreme Court judges had directed.
“If the government had taken the approach of co-existence advocated by the court, we wouldn’t be dealing with what we’re dealing with today,” he told The Narwhal.
But the government and resource companies had other ideas.
‘The decision makes the need for certainty through surrender all the more clear’
In a committee formed by the B.C. NDP government of Glen Clark — to allow oil and gas, forestry, cattle, real estate and mining associations to offer advice about treaty negotiations — various lobbyists pushed the government to limit the consequences of the Supreme Court decision, according to the FOI documents.
According to one memo, detailing a meeting that took place one day after the Delgamuukw ruling, Marlie Beets, then vice-president of the BC Council of Forest Industries, remarked that she had spent the previous hour “trying to calm” the CEOs she represented.
“[Delgamuukw] has only created more uncertainty and we are very concerned by how governments will react to the court’s findings,” Beets said. “The decision makes the need for certainty through surrender all the more clear. We see no other alternative.”
Mike Hunter, then the president of the Fisheries Council of B.C., urged the government to “downplay the expectations that Aboriginal leaders have.”
Mary MacGregor, then director of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, promised that “we will be putting great pressure on the provincial government to commit to a cede, release and surrender approach.”
Several days later, a new Delgamuukw strategy team formed by the ministry noted in a memo that “the oil and gas industry in particular has expressed concern about their ability to continue to do business in the province absent a clear direction from the government on how it will address the implications of the Delgamuukw decision.”
The following spring, John Watson, then-regional B.C. director of the federal Ministry of Indian Affairs wrote in a letter that both provincial and federal governments “are under tremendous pressure to ensure that we achieve the level of certainty required to assure business and other third parties.”
Indigenous-led opposition to unwanted natural resource projects and infrastructure has been bolstered by decisions such as Delgamuukw, Haida Nation and Taku River Tlingit.
In B.C., as in Quebec, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and the Atlantic provinces, the vast proportion of land has never been subject to treaty. Although often referred to as public or Crown land, most of these areas are the unceded homelands of Indigenous nations.
These communities are increasingly laying legal claim to their territory through the courts. A 2014 decision, for instance, granted the Tsilhqot’in nation Aboriginal title to 438,000 hectares of its traditional territory. It took the Tsilhqot’in 25 years to win its legal challenge in the Supreme Court of Canada. The B.C. and federal government fought the title claim from start to finish.
Sun, 2020-02-09 22:30
#54
[quote=epaulo13]
The threat of Aboriginal title
‘The decision makes the need for certainty through surrender all the more clear’
These communities are increasingly laying legal claim to their territory through the courts. A 2014 decision, for instance, granted the Tsilhqot’in nation Aboriginal title to 438,000 hectares of its traditional territory. It took the Tsilhqot’in 25 years to win its legal challenge in the Supreme Court of Canada. The B.C. and federal government fought the title claim from start to finish.
[quote=NDPP]
Be careful about accepting without knowledge interpretations of SCC decisions as Delgamuukw or Tsilhqot'in as 'wins'. There are those with knowledge who believe these decisions were in fact losses.
Clark: The Error in the Canadian Tsilhquot'in Case
https://dissidentvoice.org/2018/04/the-error-in-the-canadian-tsilhquotin...
1. "Before the influx of Europeans the Indians of what is now called Canada lived in organized societies with exclusive possession and jurisdiction of the land. But, according to the Supreme Court of Canada in Tsilhquot'in v British Columbia, 2014, SCC44:
[113]...Can the [provincial] legislature have intended that the vast areas of the province that are potentially subject to Aboriginal title be immune from forestry regulations? And what about the large period of time during which land claims progress and ultimate Aborignal title remains uncertain? During this period, Aboriginal groups have no legal right to manage the forest; their only right is to be consulted..."
That doesn't sound like a 'win' to me.
Bruce Clark: About The Pipeline
https://rabble.ca/babble/indigenous-issues-and-culture/bruce-clark-about...
"...This brings us to the critical point from the pipeline's perspective. The newer law says that all the Indians have is a 'right to be consulted' before development can occur on their land. The older law says that no development can occur until the Indians have signed a treaty. No treaty has been signed. But the Indians were consulted. Under the older law the Indians enjoy the power of veto. Under the newer law the Indians enjoy nothing.
Which is why thy have an injunction against them, because the assumption is that the newer law rules. The assumption is in error. That is why it is fair to say Ongoing Genocide [is] Caused by Judicial Suppression of The 'Existing' Aboriginal Rights. But you have to read the book really to understand first that fraud is normal for the courts in Indian affairs, and secondly that another fraud is happening in the pipeline situation."
Sun, 2020-02-09 22:16
#55
Sun, 2020-02-09 22:25
#56
Sun, 2020-02-09 22:40
#57
Riveting Video Captures RCMP Raid of Gidimt'en Camp
https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/02/09/RCMP-Raid-Footage/
"Newly released footage shows pipeline opponents' defiance as police march in. The Gidimt'en camp, located at kilometre 44 on the Morice West Forest Service Road is one of several encampments established by opponents of the Coastal GasLink project intended to carry fracked methane gas to the BC coast to be shipped in liquified form..."
Sun, 2020-02-09 23:15
#58
A little music to get people in the mood for a Monday morning shutdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KsEJF6A0Cc&fbclid=IwAR3nUSAYKK9LcXLjE64...
Mon, 2020-02-10 07:54
#59
..just got this email
Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs Calling for Support of Rail Blockade
** People Gathering at Rail Blockade in New Hazelton, and at 4 KM on Morice Service Road at edge of Exclusion zone
Numbers are growing but more needed at Vancouver Port Blockade!
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Rail Blockade led by Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs in so called New Hazelton expecting a police presence tomorrow morning and calling for support!
Wet'suwet'en Gathering at 4 KM on the Morice Service Road outside of Houston!
People Amassing At Clark and Hastings! Join them!
Indigenous Youth have been camped out at the BC legislature since Thursday! Join them!
It appears the RCMP have temporarily retreated from the bridge at Unist'ot'en, but further action coulc come at any time.
-Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and supporters have been blockading the rail line in New Hazelton for over 24 hours and are expecting a police presence early tomorrow morning. They're calling for supporters to join them as early as possible in the morning
-Wet'suwet'en and supporters have been gathering at the edge of the illegal RCMP exclusion zone at 4 KM on the Morice River Forest Service Road outside of Houston and will be there tomrorow!
-Mohawks who have been stopping all rail traffic between Toronto and Ottowa for over three days (https://redpowermedia.com/2020/02/09/tyendinaga-mohawks-continue-to-bloc...) are holding the line and burned the injunction that was served to them today
-People are continue to come out to the Port of Vancouver as the police presence grows. If you're in the Vancouver area join them at Clark and Hastings prepared to stay the night if you can!
A voice from the port of Van: "We are strategically not leaving this unceded land just as the Gitxsan are not leaving, and the Mohawk are not leaving, and the Wet'suwet'en are not leaving!"
Many more actions are being organized around the world than we have time to keep up with before its too late tonight.
See the about section of the International Action Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/221856442184296/?active_tab=discussion) to find one near you!
Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade
Mon, 2020-02-10 09:42
#60
Video - Injunction Served And Burnt At Tyendinaga Rail Blockade as Numbers Grow
https://realpeoples.media/video-injunction-served-and-burnt-at-tyendinag...
"The rail blockade at the Wynona crossing in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory has grown in size and scope. The reason for the blockade is simple, according to Dalton McKay. 'I'm here for the support and solidarity of the Wet'suwet'en people to help support them against the destruction of their homes for a pipeline..."
Mon, 2020-02-10 10:19
#61
Vancouver Police Start Arresting Wet'suwet'en Sympathizers To Enforce Injunction At Access Point To Port of Vancouver (and vid)
https://www.straight.com/news/1358031/vancouver-police-start-arresting-w...
"...Blocking entry to the port has ben one of several actions by Indigenous and environmental activists who've been using the hashtag #ShutDownCanada . Last week, Wet'suwet'en land defender Freda Huson told the Straight that infrastructure was at the heart of her people's concern with the Coastal GasLink pipeline project. "While we're impacting their critical infrastructure, they're affecting our critical infrastructure because the land base is really critical to us,' Huson said.
Demonstrators also blocked rail lines, interrupting Via Rail and CN Rail traffic. Meanwhile, one of BC's largest unions, the BC Government and Service Employees Union has issued a statement that it's 'deeply troubled by the ongoing events on Wet'suwet'en territory...'We are in absolute outrage and a state of painful anguish as we witness the Wet'suwet'en people having their title and rights brutally trampled on and their right to self-determination denied,' UBCIC president, Grand Chief Stewart Philip, said."
Perhaps now's the time for the Grand Chief to tear up that NDP Party card he carries around in his back pocket.
https://twitter.com/thejagmeetsingh/status/1184556779910418434
Mon, 2020-02-10 10:48
#62
Protest in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation blocks service on Exo's Candiac line
Protesters on Montreal's South Shore supporting the blockade of a natural gas pipeline project in British Columbia have blocked a railroad serving commuters on Exo's Candiac line Monday morning.
All service on the railroad, which is owned by Canadian Pacific, is closed for an indefinite period.
In a statement, Exo said buses will be available at Candiac, Delson, Saint-Constant and Sainte-Catherine stations to the Terminus Mansfield, which is by Montreal's central station.
Commuters who get on the train after it leaves the South Shore are asked to find alternative routes to work.
Exo spokesperson Catherine Maurice said the shuttle service was originally estimated to take up to an hour, but it will likely take longer .
"We have more snow this morning than was predicted … so we need to consider some delays for our bus services," she said.....
Demonstrators in Kahnwake are seen by the Canadian Pacific railroad on Montreal's South Shore. They are protesting the arrests of protesters in British Columbia who had blocked access to a pipeline construction site in the north of the province. (Diana Gonzalez/Radio-Canada)
Mon, 2020-02-10 10:49
#63
Mon, 2020-02-10 11:47
#64
Thanks epaulo13! The above is at 200 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, a few blocks west of Eglinton station. All Torontonians able please plan to attend. Pass the word!
Mon, 2020-02-10 12:32
#65
Day 5: RCMP Poised To Enforce Coastal GasLink Injunction At Unist'ot'en
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/day-5-rcmp-poised-to-enforce-coastal-...
"Police set to move in..."
#ShutDownCanada
Mon, 2020-02-10 12:41
#66
Unist'ot'en Camp
https://twitter.com/UnistotenCamp/status/1226922137996288006
9:32 am - Several assault rifles spotted pointed at Healing Centre. K9 units. Sound Cannons. Handguns."
#ReconciliationIsDead #landback #thetimeisnow
Mon, 2020-02-10 12:56
#67
Mon, 2020-02-10 14:01
#68
Unist'ot'en Camp
https://twitter.com/UnistotenCamp/status/1226939363109396483
10:41 - RCMP using K9 units on unarmed Indigenous women. 3 arrests so far.
"Don't give up - don't stop - adapt - shift - occupy - repeat. Keep the drums beating and prayers coming for those on the peaceful front lines."
https://twitter.com/Pam_Palmater/status/1226912358783705090
#WetsuwetenSolidarity
Mon, 2020-02-10 14:21
#69
Unist'ot'en Camp
https://twitter.com/UnistotenCamp/status/1226944443153956864
11:01 am - RCMP dismantling gate on the bridge. 6 arrests, including Freda Huson.
Mon, 2020-02-10 14:37
#70
..latest email
** RCMP Have landed armed tactical teams behind the Unist'ot'en Village and other officers are approaching the gate from the other side.
Arrests are being made now. Live feeds currently underway.
#SHUTDOWNCANADA
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https://www.facebook.com/unistoten/videos/499849340967645/
Last night Unist'ot'en women hold a ceremony honouring their missing and murdered Indigenous sisters and inviting their spirits to stand with them against the same RCMP who denied them justice.
WATCH AND SHARE (https://www.facebook.com/unistoten/videos/499849340967645/)
Wet'suwet'en Matriarchs standing strong as RCMP descend upon Unist'o'ten Village
RCMP have now surrounded the Unist'ot'en Village.
Tactical units have been dropped by Helicopter on top of the hill above the village, and have been seen pointing guns at the healing centre.
Live updates are being posted here (http://unistoten.camp/feb10/?fbclid=IwAR3vMBCeJM_GHk1sw5NNRzomQKLc3TgCNT...)
And Live streaming is happening on the camp facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/unistoten/)
PLEASE SHARE THE LIVE STREAMS!
10:41 am - RCMP using K9 units on unarmed indigenous women on behalf of CGL/TC Energy. 4 arrests total so far.
9:55 am – Legal observers heard RCMP planning on running dogs towards gate
9:51 – RCMP Officer appears to have tripped over one of the red dresses.
9:48 am – reports that Transport Canada is not aware of any airspace restriction.
9:45 am – DLT interrupting ceremony to try and talk to Freda. Masked cops with sunglasses, filming. Low flying helicopter.
9:44 – Unist’ot’en Facebook account livestreaming raid now.
9:38 am – 11 tactical at end of driveway of Healing Centre, 7 on hill. 2 canine units. DLTs hovering around ceremonial bell structure filming.
9:32 am - Several assault rifles spotted pointed at Healing Centre. K9 units. Sounds cannons. Handguns.
9:17 am - 4th helicopter landed and took off at top of hill. 3 RCMP total at the top of hill. 2 north side, 1 south.
9:14 – Total 3 black helicopters at the top of hill
9:13 am – RCMP approaching water in snowshoes, assessing bridge, using binoculars. Another helicopter dropped down and went back up.
9:11 am – More RCMP officers crouching behind snowbank, hiding from view. 2 high visibility and one in red plaid. 2 helicopter dropoffs at the top of the hill so far.
9:09 am - Ravens flying above the officers. They are Oyate, Karla Tait's daughter, in spirit form. She told us they would be with us. She is 5 years old Unist'ot'en.
STAY IN THE STREETS
Find or organize an action to join near you:
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY: THE TIME IS NOW ALL OUT FOR WET'SUWET'EN (https://www.facebook.com/events/221856442184296/?active_tab=discussion)
Many actions are being added to the discussion section of the page above now!
Wet'suwet'en and supporters are gathering at 27 KM on Morice Forest Service Road
Over 30 people were arrested at the Port of Vancouver last night and there is a call out to reconvene at the VANDU office (380 East Hastings) at 1 PM
As far as we know the Rail Blockade in New Hazelton is still going.
At least 3 new Rail Blockades have gone up at 6 nations, Listuguj Mi'gmaq, and Montreal
People have shut down the Comox Valley Highway in both directions (https://www.mycomoxvalleynow.com/63732/protest-supporting-wetsuweten-blo...)
Government offices and banks are being shut down!
GET ON THE PHONE
Call your friends and neighbors to join an action, and take 10 minutes to call government officials and let them know how you feel!
This link will let you call all BC MP's via an auto dialer:
Call BC Government Officials! (https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/STOPTHERCMP?fbclid=IwAR3u-7VoAiK7PJx...)
One of two actions shutting down Comox Valley Highway
Rail Blockade in 6 nations
Rail Blockade outside of Montreal
Litstuguj Mi'gmaq shut down Rail Line
Youth Occupying Government Offices in Montreal!
Jam the Government phone lines!
Mon, 2020-02-10 14:43
#71
Stop Genocide of Wet'suwet'en
https://twitter.com/meiklegirl/status/1226930969677946883
"Indigenous activists have been calling for UN legal observers to witness the RCMP's human rights abuses at Unistoten. That's how dire the situation is. The pure gall of Justin Trudeau scrounging for a UNSC seat as this military invasion is taking place is completely outrageous."
I agree. NO UNSC Seat For Colonizer-Canada!
Mon, 2020-02-10 15:03
#72
..new email
** UNIST'OT'EN MATRIARCHS ARRESTED;
STAND WITH UNIST'OT'EN NOW!
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https://www.facebook.com/unistoten/videos/541202253409028/
Freda, Karla, and Brenda (Center in this Photo) have all been arrested (https://www.facebook.com/unistoten/posts/3481117515295802?__tn__=K-R0.g)
RCMP with dogs dropped via Helicpoter into Unist'ot'en Village
UNIST'OT'EN MATRIARCHS ARRESTED;
STAND WITH UNIST'OT'EN NOW!
Unist’ot’en Territory, Feb 10, 2020 – A convoy of armed RCMP tactical units has invaded sovereign and unceded Unist’ot’en Territory to enforce Coastal GasLink’s injunction. Our Unist’ot’en Matriarchs and lands defenders have been forcibly removed off their lands.
Unist’ot’en Matriarchs Freda Huson (Chief Howihkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), and Dr. Karla Tait have been forcibly removed off our territories and arrested. Our matriarchs were arrested while holding a ceremony to call on our ancestors and to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We, the Unist’ot’en, know that violence on our lands and violence on our women are connected. During ceremony, we hung red dresses to remember the spirits of the murdered women, girls and two spirit people taken from us. We were holding a cremation for the Canadian Indigenous Reconciliation industry as the RCMP battered through the gates. Land defenders, including Victoria Redsun (Denesuline), Autumn Walken (Nlaka’pamux), and Pocholo Alen Conception have also been arrested.
Unist’ot’en condemns these violent, colonial arrests and stark violations of Wet’suwet’en law, Canadian law, and of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This is also a clear violation of the recent directive from the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination (CERD) requiring Canada to halt the Coastal GasLink pipeline project and withdraw RCMP from our territory in order to avoid further violations of Wet’suwet’en, constitutional, and international law.
We, as Wet’suwet’en, have never ceded our sovereign title and rights over the 22,000 square kilometers of our land, waters, and resources within our Yintah. Our ‘Anuc niwh’it’ën (Wet’suwet’en law) and feast governance systems remain intact and continue to govern our people and our lands. We recognize the authority of these systems. The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are the Title Holders, and maintain the authority and jurisdiction to make decisions on unceded lands.
Our Wet’suwet’en Territory is divided into 5 clans and 13 house groups. Each clan within the Wet’suwet’en Nation has full jurisdiction under our law to control access to their respective territories. We have governed ourselves sustainably since time immemorial. The Unist’ot’en (Dark House) is occupying and using our traditional territory as we have for centuries. Our homestead is a peaceful expression of our connection to our territory and demonstrates the continuous use and occupation of our territories in accordance with our governance structure. Our Unist’ot’en Yin’tah is a place of healing. It is home to Wet’suwet’en people seeking refuge from colonial trauma. People recovering from addiction. People reconnecting with the land.
We have the strength of our ancestors within us. We have the solidarity of our Indigenous relatives and allies with us. We have the power of people shutting down railways, highways, ports, and government offices all around this country. Thank you to people all around this planet making our struggle your struggle. The flames of resistance and the resurgence of Indigenous land reclamation give us strength. We know our neighbours and relatives are with us. We know the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds are watching over us. These arrests don’t intimidate us. Police enforcement doesn’t intimidate us. Colonial court orders don’t intimidate us. Men in suits and their money don’t intimidate us. We are still here. We will always be there. This is not over.
Stand with Unist'ot'en Now!
#ShutDownCanada
Mon, 2020-02-10 15:05
#73
Statement From Unistoted Camp
https://twitter.com/HarshaWalia/status/1226949916229898240
Armed RCMP invaded sovereign Unist'ot'en Territory today to enforce CGL injunction. Seven arrests including Unist'oten Matriarchs Freda Huson (Chief Howihkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), Dr Karla Tait
Donate To Unistoten
Mon, 2020-02-10 17:13
#74
..short video
Indigenous land defenders and allies occupying MP Bardish Chaggers office now in Waterloo.
Mon, 2020-02-10 20:06
#75
Police protect corporations, not people
Last week in so-called Western Canada, the actions of police showed that their priority is to protect the oil and gas industry and maintain the settler colonial state. Whether it is the RCMP invading Wet'suwet'en territory or the Regina Police Service arresting locked-out Unifor workers fighting for their pensions, police are preventing us from being able to secure a livable climate future.
quote:
The invasion comes barely two months after British Columbia became the first province to enshrine the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into law. Article 10 of UNDRIP notes that “Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed from their lands or territories.” In December, it was revealed that in last year’s raid of the Gidimt’en checkpoint, the RCMP were prepared to shoot Indigenous land defenders, with notes from a strategy session saying that “lethal overwatch is req’d.”
On the same morning of the raid on the first Wet’suwet’en checkpoint, in Treaty 4, Regina police arrested four people on the Unifor picket line at the Co-op Refinery Complex, one of Canada’s largest oil refineries. Unifor’s lead negotiator was arrested and charged with mischief. Unifor members have been barricading the refinery since January 20, 2020 and it has been two months since members of Unifor local 594 were locked out by Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL). This labour dispute centers on access to a fair pension, with FCL attempting to eliminate an existing 100 per cent employer-funded defined benefit pension plan.
“This was clearly coordinated between the Co-op and the police, which shows that police are just an arm of the corporation,” said Unifor national president Jerry Dias in a statement on Friday.
Meanwhile, the raid on Wet’suwet’en happened soon after talks between the Province of B.C. and the Hereditary Chiefs broke down. The meetings, which were supposed to last seven days, were called off after two days by Coastal GasLink, when Hereditary Chiefs refused to allow pipeline workers back into their territory. “We always knew that industry was directing government,” Hereditary Chief Na’Moks told Vice News, “but this is the first time we’ve ever seen them say it publicly, right there in our meeting minutes.”
In a recent study of almost 100 injunction cases, the Yellowhead Institute found that 76 per cent of injunctions filed against First Nations by corporations were granted by Canadian courts, while 81 per cent of injunctions filed by First Nations against corporations were denied.
quote:
For decades, segments of the labour movement – and specifically unions that represented fossil fuel workers, like the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW) – have looked toward a transition to clean energy. These unions understood that jobs based on non-renewable resources could not be sustained, so they advocated for fully-funded job transition programs to bridge workers to renewable energy jobs. In the late 1970s Unifor’s predecessor, OCAW, developed its own National Energy Policy. This policy sought to put ownership of the oil industry in public hands, and advocated for massive investment in solar, wind, and biomass energy research and development.
What if unions began leveraging their multi-million-dollar budgets, massive memberships, paid organizers, and political power to support Indigenous land defense and repatriation? Unions must realize that police are arresting workers and land defenders for the same reason – to keep the oil flowing to help big corporations make a profit, at the expense of the working class livelihoods and Indigenous sovereignty.
Mon, 2020-02-10 21:05
#76
Wet'suwet'en Solidarity Rally at the Throne Speech - Victoria
https://twitter.com/UBCIC/status/1226964212934696967
"Join us for a rally and press conference at the Legislature - respond to the Facebook event here: Gather with youth at Legislature: 9:00 AM - Press Conference: 1:00 PM."
Mon, 2020-02-10 21:18
#77
Wet’suwet’en: Why Are Indigenous Rights Being Defined By An Energy Corporation?
quote:
Subsidizing dispossession
LNG Canada is already subsidized by the province of B.C. for $5.35 billion. A further $1 billion in estimated subsidies will be provided by the federal government in exemptions from tariffs on steel imports.
The provincial funding arrangement puts B.C. Premier John Horgan in a conflict of interest with Wet’suwet’en hereditary governments opposing the project.
Horgan has expressed concern about First Nations experiencing “systemic poverty” and characterized the Coastal Gas Link investment into First Nations as “a pathway to prosperity,” according to recent statements in the press.
But a substantial amount of financial support to First Nations are derived from public coffers. Rather than alleviate “systemic poverty” in communities directly, the B.C. government is channelling these dollars through energy companies. Therefore, making First Nation funding contingent upon support for pipeline deals.
These numbers confirm amounts committed in a Natural Gas Benefits Agreement signed between the parties.
Raid
As the RCMP descend on Wet’suwet’en territory it is worthwhile to reflect on how social license is achieved by industry to access Indigenous territories.
A hand-in-glove system, the B.C. government has supported the current raids through financial incentives that have forced communities apart.
With upwards of $7 billion on the line in government subsidies, the interests of Coastal GasLink’s viability appears to have been put far ahead of Wet’suwet’en rights, title and justice.
Mon, 2020-02-10 22:13
#78
..another email
Victoria call out for People to sleep at BC Legislature to prevent police eviction before John Horgan's Throne Speech Tomorrow
** Outpouring of International Solidarity as RCMP Arrest Unist'ot'en Matriarchs
Inigenous Youth Call for Shut Down of Canadian Government Friday
John Horgan to Speak at BC Legislature Tomorrow
Urgent Callout for Supporters to Sleep at BC Legislature Tonight to Prevent Police Action
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Freda and Brenda before being arrested today
Police Van Forcibly Removing Freda Huson from her home in Wet'suwet'en Territory. Coastal Gas Link Workers who have built a Man Camp in Unist'ot'en Territory Removed Red Dresses Symbolizing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women from Unist'ot'en Bridge.
As of now people in the Healing Center are safe and not being threatened with arrest, and the four brave land defenders from 44 were released today after spending the weekend in jail.
Rail lines continue to be blocked and people have poured into the streets, banks, and Government offices outraged by the RCMP's arrest of Unist'ot'en Matriarchs and grotesque violation of Wet'suwet'en Law.
Indigenous Youth who have been occupying the ceremonial entrance to the BC Legislature with an encampment since Thursday are calling for people to join them as police action has been threatened in advance of John Horgan's speech from the throne happening tomorrow! Can you sleep at the BC Legislature tonight? #SleepOverForYintah
There will be a rally at 9 AM tomorrow Morning and Press Conference at 1 PM there tomorrow while John Horgan gives his throne speech (https://www.facebook.com/events/2973108599387262/)
Despite over 30 people being arrested at the Port of Vancouver early this morning people returned and shut down the rail line into the port today! A meet up location for tomorrow will be announced here (https://www.instagram.com/voicesfrontlines/)
Indigenous Youth are hosting open meetings Wednesday to organize a shut down of all government Ministries in Victoria! This is replicable and can be done elsewhere! See meeting locations below.
In London, New Zealand, WA DC, Seattle, The Bay and more people are shutting down Canadian Embassies and Consulates: Find one near you here (https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates)
Many more actions are being organized. Organize or find one near you here! (https://www.facebook.com/events/221856442184296/)
Get there! And Stay at the BC Legislature Encampment Tonight if You Can!
Meetings Happening This Wednesday in Victoria to shut down all Government Ministries in the City! "
20 sites have been earmarked and with 4-500 people we can effectively shut down the bulk of the civil service for the day. Join them!
Red dresses symbolizing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women hung at BC Legislature in Victoria after CGL removed Red Dresses from Unist'ot'en Bridge!
Join the Encampment Tonight and Tomorrow!
Numbers at Tyendinaga Mohawk Rail Blockade after they burn Injunction (https://realpeoples.media/video-injunction-served-and-burnt-at-tyendinag...)
Bank of Montreal (CGL financier) Office Shut Down by over 500 people today
Rail Line into Port of Vancouver Shut Down today!
Action at Canadian Consulate in Seattle: Find a consulate near you here (https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates)
Round Dance in Intersection in Downtown Winnipeg today!
"Reconciliation Bridge" in Calgary Shut Down Today (https://globalnews.ca/news/6532492/wetsuweten-protest-block-calgary-reco...)
Indigenous Youth and Supporters Occupy Carolyn Bennett; Minister of Crown and Indigenous affairs Office. Hundreds Rally and hold Dance Party Outside (https://www.facebook.com/RisingTideToronto/videos/174751270501632/)
The ongoing occupation of the BC Capitol
Spot on commentary from Tara Houska
Keep up the Pressure! This fight is just getting rolling!
Support and share Unist'ot'en Legal Fund: (https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/unistoten2020legalfund)
Support and share the Gidemt'en Fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/gidimt039en-strong?utm_campaign=p_lico%20shar...)
Use and share the Supporter Toolkit (https://www.gofundme.com/f/gidimt039en-strong?utm_campaign=p_lico%20shar...) :
ARTICLES
Emotions Run High as RCMP Arrest 7 at last Wet'suwet'en Post (https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/02/10/Emotions-High-Unistoten-Arrests/?utm_...)
Industry and Government Pushed to Abolish Aboriginal Title at Issue in Wet'suwet'en Stand off Docs Reveal (https://thenarwhal.ca/industry-government-pushed-to-abolish-aboriginal-t...)
BC Failed to Conisder Links BetweenMan Camps and Violence Against Indigenous Women Wet'suwet'en Argue (https://thenarwhal.ca/b-c-failed-to-consider-links-between-man-camps-vio...)
The outpouring of has been incredible and is reshaping the political landscape! Let's keep it going!
-Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade
Tue, 2020-02-11 06:53
#79
Tue, 2020-02-11 07:03
#80
RCMP exclusion zone called ‘unlawful’ as police arrest matriarchs at Unist’ot’en healing camp
Coastal GasLink cannot legally proceed with pipeline construction activities in the area around the Unist’ot’en healing centre, where Wet’suwet’en nation matriarchs and their supporters were arrested on Monday for defying a court-ordered injunction, the B.C. environment ministry has confirmed.
But the company is permitted to use a bridge leading to the healing centre to bring in heavy equipment for clearing the pipeline right-of-way further west along the Morice River Forest Service Road, the ministry said in an email in response to questions from The Narwhal.
The timber frame Morice River bridge, which provides the only road access to the $2 million healing centre, has been both a physical barrier to pipeline construction and a symbol of resistance against the $6.6 billion Coastal GasLink project, which will supply fracked gas from B.C.’s northeast to LNG Canada’s new export terminal in Kitimat.
For the past several months, red dresses — symbols of the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women and girls — have dangled in the air from lines of suspended wire across the bridge.
Workers in safety vests removed the red dresses Monday morning, along with a tall wooden barricade and a white sign that said “Reconciliation,” as they moved in to arrest matriarchs and others, who drummed and sang in ceremony near the Morice River (Wedzin Kwah).
quote:
In an email in response to questions from The Narwhal, the environment ministry said Coastal GasLink is also permitted to use the Morice River bridge to bring in equipment and workers for development of a 400-person workforce accommodation camp, to transport four-season accommodation trailers destined for the same area and for access to build an “all-weather travel lane.”
Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs have requested a judicial review of a decision by the B.C. environmental assessment office to grant an extension of the environmental certificate for the 670-kilometre pipeline, citing more than 50 instances of non-compliance with permits and in light of the findings of Canada’s National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
A final report released from the national inquiry committee last June found “work camps, or ‘man camps,’ associated with the resource extraction industry are implicated in higher rates of violence against Indigenous women at the camps and in the neighbouring communities.”
The healing centre sits in an area known as the Morice River technical boundary area, the subject of a disputed report filed last November by Coastal GasLink as a condition of its provincial environmental assessment certificate.
Tue, 2020-02-11 07:06
#81
Construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline could be delayed for months because the company is missing a key authorization from B.C.’s environmental assessment office, according to a consultant for Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.
The delay offers a chance to de-escalate the stand-off between the RCMP and hereditary chiefs and their supporters, as tensions rise in anticipation of imminent arrests to enforce a court injunction, Jason Slade told The Narwhal.
“If the EAO [Environmental Assessment Office] follows the law, they won’t have authorization to proceed from the EAO for many months,” said Slade, an environmental consultant for the Unist’ot’en clan, one of five clans in the Wet’suwet’en Nation.
“There’s no need for the police to go in and arrest everyone. The EAO authorization to proceed in this area doesn’t exist.”
At the centre of the dispute over pipeline construction in Wet’suwet’en traditional territory is the $2 million Unist’ot’en healing centre, which has received $400,000 from B.C.’s First Nations Health Authority to run land-based trauma and addictions treatment programs.
The healing centre is several hundred metres from a former, dead-end logging road and within one kilometre of the pipeline route, said Slade, who has been an environmental consultant for the clan for the past eight years.
“There’s not normally a lot of traffic on that road. Right now, every day there are dozens and dozens of trucks and machinery and personnel and security and police going up and down that road. This is something that happened all of a sudden … without consideration of the healing centre,” he said.....
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:14
#82
..this piece is in french and has been translated by my browser
Opposition to the Coastal GasLink project moves to Montreal
“It's a turning point. Across Turtle Island, we see communities responding in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en Nation, "said Catie Galbraith, a young Aboriginal activist, speaking on the microphone at the foot of Prime Minister Justin's constituency office. Trudeau .
On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators added their voices in Montreal to those of many opponents across the country, decrying the Coastal GasLink project.
A stone's throw from the Metropolitan highway, drums and throat singing echoed for a moment. A few hours earlier, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) made new arrests on the forest road to the construction site of the TC Energy pipeline project (formerly known as TransCanada), in northern British Columbia.
quote:
If environmental motivations are at the source of the opposition to the project, the question of the occupation of the territory is now central.
"The conflict is territorial, statue Vanessa Racine, of the Beaverhouse First Nation, in an interview on the sidelines of the demonstration in Montreal. It is no coincidence that the pipelines still cross aboriginal territory. "
Aboriginals and their "allies" gathered in front of the office of the member for Papineau at the invitation of the aboriginal student alliance of McGill University. A person "very close" to the Aboriginal community at this university has been arrested in British Columbia in recent days, says Racine.
quote:
"The RCMP has given itself the power to chase anyone from a stretch of more than 60 kilometers of highway - however, this power is not granted to it by the enforcement order," said Monday in a press release BCCLA Director Harsha Walia.
"The RCMP is pitting an army against those who are trying to protect the earth for the next seven generations," said Racine, who also describes the behavior of the RCMP.
In another show of support for Montreal, activists at Extinction Rebellion Quebec said on Monday that they had occupied the offices of federal ministers Mélanie Joly, Marc Garneau, Marc Miller and David Lametti to demand an end to the Coastal GasLink project.
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:24
#83
Today Indigenous people and allies worked together in shutting downtown Winnipeg to let Canada know that #alleyesonwetsuweten.
Close to 700 people shut down 3 main intersections (Main and Portage, Main and Broadway, and Broadway and Balmoral) showing Winnipeg, Canada and the RCMP that we are willing to do more, willing to become bigger and willing to shut down everything.
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:28
#84
Pipeline protest shuts down Portage Ave
A pipeline fight in British Columbia brought traffic chaos to downtown Winnipeg late Monday afternoon.
Vehicle flow on a long stretch of Portage Avenue — from Edmonton Street east to the intersection at Main Street, as well as all the north and south sidestreets — was blocked at 5 p.m., as hundreds of protesters took to the pavement to show solidarity with the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en Nation.
As well, another few hundred protesters left the Portage Place shopping centre at the same time, heading south on Edmonton Street, blocking traffic as they moved towards Broadway.
Earlier, as hundreds of people began massing on the main and second floor of the mall's Edmonton Court, Emily Amos, an organizer and spokeswoman for Indigenous Youth for Wet'suwet'en, said: "This is just another solidarity action just to put more emphasis on it. We're watching and standing with them in (northern B.C.)."
Amos said while they would take to the streets, others were continuing to hold a peaceful occupation of Liberal MP Dan Vandal's St. Boniface riding constituency office, in its seventh day Monday.
"There's not much more we can do other than what we're doing — we're doing what we can now," she said.....
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:33
#85
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:36
#86
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:42
#87
(Youth occupy the Justice Building in Ottawa: Photo: Jamie Pashagumskum/APTN)
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:49
#88
"They Stole The Children From The Land - Now They Steal The Land From The Children"
Tue, 2020-02-11 10:49
#89
7:40 pm - 3 out of 7 arrested today released! Freda Huson, Brenda Michell, and Victoria Redsun are free!
Tue, 2020-02-11 11:14
#90
They are free but their land is captured. For A Total Popular and Indigenous Resistance Against Justin Trudeau, John Horgan, CGL and Canadian Corporate Colonialist Barbarism.
Tue, 2020-02-11 11:12
#91
..i remember protests/support across the country and i attended one in van when this happened. 1000 people turned out. but those protests/supports are nothing compared to what is going on today. the pressure created back then forced the rcmp to back off and i suspect it is only a matter of time before that happens as we watch this continue and grow. this is rocking the country!
..this piece was written in 2016
Setting the Stage: Elsipogtog Anniversary
October 17 marked the three-year anniversary since the paramilitary raid on a Mi’kmaq-led anti-shale gas camp near the Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick. A force of 285 RCMP officers, including Emergency Response Team (camouflage-clad with assault rifles) and tactical units (riot police), enforced a court injunction filed by SWN Resources Canada, a subsidiary of Houston-based company Southwestern Energy, whose equipment had been blockaded since late September, preventing SWN from carrying out seismic exploration activity for natural gas. The RCMP were met with stiff resistance, which included hundreds who rallied from the reserve as the Mi’kmaq Warrior Society faced the assault in the early morning. In the aftermath, 40 arrests were made and six RCMP vehicles torched. The fierce resistance was successful in thwarting the New Brunswick government’s aspirations to develop a fracked gas industry in the province. The water protectors won that battle but the struggle continues.
Tue, 2020-02-11 14:17
#92
DEVELOPING: BC Legislature is postponing Prorogation Ceremony until 1 pm. It was supposed to take place at 10 am. It's unclear whether Lt Gov Janet Austen has been able to make it inside as protesters blocked all entrances..."
https://twitter.com/CBCtanya/status/1227301068247310337
#ShutDownCanada
Tue, 2020-02-11 14:55
#93
CN Rail To Shut Down 'Significant' Sections of Track Due To Ont Pipeline Blockade
https://twitter.com/RussDiabo/status/1227284097103515648
'We hope this will get resolved because it's having an important impact on the economy of the country,' Transportation Minister Marc Garneau said..."
Honour and Respect To All Solidarity Defenders!
Go Forth and Multiply! The More the Merrier!
Tue, 2020-02-11 15:32
#94
..from an email
Are you in Victoria? Get down to the legislature and join the shut down of all entrances to the building!!
Indigenous Youth youth have stepped up big time and are shutting down the legislature in advance of John Horgan's Thrown Speech! Pre speech ceremonies have been cancelled!
There is a Press Conference at 1 PM!
In Halifax? Get to the Port Shutdown!
In Vancouver? Get to George Hyman's office starting at 1 PM! 642 W Broadway!
In Bella Bella? join the women locked down to RCMP vehicles at the local precinct now.
Tue, 2020-02-11 16:11
#95
'CANCELLED' DUE TO DISHONOUR!
https://twitter.com/phoeberamsay/status/1227299478954074113
https://twitter.com/richardzussman/status/1227285199181864960
NDP Minister turned away at the door. 'SHAME!'
Tue, 2020-02-11 16:32
#96
Canada/BC Violating International Indigenous RIghts: UNDRIP
https://twitter.com/Songstress28/status/1226968223209459714
"Article 10 of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous Peoples Shall Not Be Forcefully Removed From Their Lands Or Territories..."
Tue, 2020-02-11 16:42
#97
Occupation of Calgary Government Office in Heart of Oil and Gas Country Calling for Support (https://www.facebook.com/yycidlenomore/photos/a.104981310974126/14464016...)
Tue, 2020-02-11 17:10
#98
'It Covers All Provinces': Quebec Premier Calls On Ottawa To Step In To End Anti-Pipeline Protests
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/legault-anti-pipeline-protests-1...
"We need the federal government to be involved because it doesn't only concern Quebec. It concerns all provinces. In a case like this, the federal government is responsible because we're talking about transport here,' said Legault...'it must stop,' the premier said..."
Where's the Prime Minister?! Where's his Deputy?!
Tue, 2020-02-11 17:31
#99
"Confirmed: Carolyn Bennett arrived with an RCMP police escort. Repeat - The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations arrrived escorted by the RCMP. Nothing says Reconciliation like an Indian Agent with RCMP escort." WATCH!
Tue, 2020-02-11 17:42
#100
Trudeau To Take UN Security Council Pitch To Caribbean Next Week
https://www.timescolonist.com/trudeau-to-take-un-security-council-pitch-...
"Next stop the Caribbean. That is where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be heading next week as he continues making his pitch for why Canada should have a seat on the UN Security Council."
Who better than UNDRIP Violator Number One!?
Dear UN Member States: JUST SAY NO TO CANADA!
Tue, 2020-02-11 18:29
#101
'People Over Profit!' (and vid)
https://twitter.com/StacieASwain/status/1227358691554287616
'BC NDP Doing Business As Usual'
https://twitter.com/StacieASwain/status/1227340048644763648
"The Victoria Police Department are at Indigenous Youth For Wetsuweten with rubber bullet guns while youth do ceremony and supporters act in solidarity with Unistoten Camp - even while UBCIC & Chiefs give a press conference out front. Unbelievably disrespectful - BC NDP does business as usual."