Unist'ot'en: Now Is the Time

20/11/18
Author: 
First Nations Leaders

TransCanada just failed first attempt to cross the Wedzin Kwa Bridge into Unist'ot'en Territory

Since 2010, the Unist’ot’en have maintained a frontline camp to protect their territory from eco-cidal pipelines. First Enbridge Northern Gateway and then Chevron Pacific Trails saw their projects fail. Now, TransCanada has decided to try their luck with Coastal GasLink.

On Monday November 19th, the Unist’ot’en received formal notice from TransCanada that “field reconnaissance and pre-construction activities are scheduled to begin the week of November 19th and conclude before the end of 2018.” This work is being described as “critical” in order to “facilitate the commencement of construction in January, 2019.”

In response the Unist’ot’en have issued to following call to their supporters:

"If you are an individual, a grassroots collective, a sympathetic church group, or an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) or ENGO (Environmental NGO) please offer your support with us now. The TransCanada Corporation and the larger LNG Canada group are attempting to force the proposed Coastal Gas Link pipeline through our lands. Their push starts today as they send their first team to our Yintah to confront our camp.

Their chosen date to confront our people is no accident. Freda Huson's partner Smogelgem's mother is in critical palliative home care. They have done this in the past with the passing of Freda's late father and also at a separate time when her brother passed away.

If you can launch a campaign, organize education forums, host kitchen parties, fundraise with our consent, organize a caravan, plan a trip to support us ASAP, donate, spread the word... please start. We just ask that you let us know in advance so that we can establish a contact and endorse any actions before they start. This is of course very difficult to organize amidst this trying time with Smogelgem's ailing mother. That was their deliberate, sleazy, and diabolical plan though.

They are choosing to attempt their pre-construction work and construction plans during the winter months. This is again a deliberately orchestrated plan. Winter sometimes forces many resistance movements into hibernation and also can hamper mobility for those travelling.

We need to band together now and begin our work to collectively stop them. #nowisthetime

To register to become a physical supporter please visit www.unistotencamp.com

If you cannot join us physically, you can send donations to help us prepare for the large influx of supporters coming to stay with us this winter. This will be expensive and difficult to coordinate.

Donations are needed to help feed everyone choosing to stay here.

E-transfer donations can be made to fhuson@gmail.com - Please ensure that you follow-up with a second email giving the password. Or visit http://unistoten.camp/support-us/donate/ for PayPal and other options.

Sne Kal Yagh,

Unist’ot’en Camp”

The Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade will respond to this call by ramping up our own solidarity efforts and continue to update everyone as the situation unfolds.