Tag: wet’suwet’en

Hamilton: Report from Rail Blockade

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On February 2, 2020 – before the RCMP began raiding Wet’suwet’en Territories once more – folks gathered in JC Beemer Park in Hamilton, ON for a “festive disruption” that promised both fun and effective action in support of the people risking their lives out west.

We’re happy to say it was a success!

After approximately 120 people of all ages gathered at the park, we started the day with a traditional Haudensaunee opening and blessing, and then briefed folks not to talk to police for everyone’s safety, or media as to keep messaging aligned with the messages coming from the Wet’suwet’en. We fired up the crowd with some stories and encouragement to challenge their own fears and discomforts – and then took all 5 lanes of an arterial road through the North end of Hamilton. Read More …

Guelph: Banner Drop in Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en

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The Wet’suwet’en Nation is currently engaged in an ongoing struggle to protect their ancestral and unceded, sovereign territory from the Coastal Gaslink pipeline project (CGL) and the Canadian State. Just over one year after a militarized RCMP raid the Wet’suwet’en fear another raid- knowing that the RCMP will go to extreme measures, including killing, to protect industries interests. Recently, the RCMP have come under additional scrutiny for the “lethal overwatch” of Indigenous land defenders during the January 2019 raid. In an era of so-called “reconciliation” the Canadian state continues to occupy unceded Indigenous lands while violating and dismissing Indigenous sovereignty. This is not an attempt to only call out the blatant disregard for the lives of indigenous land defenders but to demand that the RCMP leave Wet’suwet’en territory altogether. #respectwetsuwetenlaw Read More …

Kingston: “Hands Off Wet’suwet’en” Demo Report

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Thank you to the 50 people who gathered Saturday in SOLIDARITY with the Wet’suwet’en land defenders, on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe.

The gathering was opened with songs and a speech. Then, despite the snow storm, the march took to the streets and traveled from Kingston City Hall to Queen’s University where Jawad Masud, TC Energy VP of Corporate Communications was speaking at the Oil and Gas Panel at Queen’s Global Energy Conference.

Upon arrival at the conference, the January 5 eviction notice to Coastal GasLink (CGL) from Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs was presented to the TC Energy VP. (TC Energy is a major stakeholder in CGL.) Read More …

Kingston: Slow Down For Wet’suwet’en

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On Friday, January 17th a group of approximately 15 people took control of a busy commuter street on both sides of a ground-level rail crossing for the CN main line in Kingston, Ontario. We used banners and our bodies to stop traffic and flyered the waiting cars with information about the ongoing struggle on Wet’suwet’en territory. Read More …

To Settlers, by Settlers: A Callout for Rail Disruptions in Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en

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Pretext
Its important to know that settlers have written this. We don’t have the lived experience of any Indigenous person, including the Wet’suwet’en. We do write from a place of heart and affinity within this struggle – personal, political, and/or relational. In that we feel responsibility to act against the systems and corporations that harm the people and land within it. We acknowledge our settler responsibility and complicity in this, and look for opportunities and strategies that align politically as a way to enact solidarity. This does not mean we speak for them, or should be closed to critiques.

First, let’s address that for various reasons there has sometimes been a lack of clarity around what is being asked for by folks out west.

We want to gently remind friends reading this that some individuals have been restricted in providing any kind of direction or encouragement – or even speaking against the project. The gag is set by court orders which wield the threat of financial ruin and the loss of a ten year land-based healing project for an entire community. We remind ourselves that the people we may put into “leadership” positions may not want to be experiencing the pedestalization and fetishization of expectant settlers wanting firm answers – at great risk – on behalf of many.

Within and outside of this struggle, settlers are consistently directed to take responsibility for the fellow settlers and the ongoing processes and harms of colonization. As settlers hearing that, we are compelled to act in defiance of – and take an offensive position against – the state and industries that are willing to kill for profit, and pretend to be doing so in our “interests”. Read More …

Dream Big: a call to action for the Wet’suwet’en

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Where have you gone?

Last January there were so many of you. Of us!

In the streets. Shutting down bridges, ports, highways, railways, centres of capital, fuel terminals, and even storming TC Energy facilities. We were rushing office buildings, hanging banners, harassing politicians, police, courts and more. Informing, engaging, inciting. Undoubtedly meeting late into the nights, kept awake by our dreams. Strategizing. We were angry, passionate, strong, and determined. It was beautiful! Inspiring – hopeful!

What happened?

We’re not done – this is still happening! Force is not consent. The RCMP – the same commanders who argued for lethal oversight – are still in Wet’suwet’en territories harassing people. They’ve had the audacity to set up a temporary detachment in a place they don’t belong, aren’t welcome, and have no jurisdiction over. Read More …

Nothing (much) Changes: an analysis of changes in ownership of the Coastal Gas Link pipeline

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TC Energy recently sold 65% of their 100% stake in their Coastal Gas Link Project.

But does it mean anything?

Is the project struggling? Is TC Energy? Is there a chance this project will just fall by the wayside? After reading too many industry news sites and pompous press releases, interviews and share reports I have bad news.

It’s unlikely this indicates anything significant – and it doesn’t seem to be a sign of a flailing project or company.

In short; corporations buy and sell investments in projects all the time – and TC Energy has been doing a lot of this. TCE also announced back in 2018 that they intended to reduce its shares in the project, and hired RBC to help do it in January 2019, so it’s not a new or recent development. Project messaging has stayed consistent, and since the project is still in early stages new buyers must have a lot of faith it will proceed as planned. Read More …

Strengthening the Front Lines

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Respectful greetings.

Construction work is ongoing to strengthen the various Wet’suwet’en front lines. Meanwhile Coastal GasLink continues to push ahead with its fracked gas pipeline. The following are various opportunities for people with construction and other skills to stand with the Wet’suwet’en: Read More …