Stand With The Unist'ot'en - They Are Standing Up For You!

29/12/18
Author: 
First Nations Leaders
INJUNCTION DEADLINE PLUS 12

RCMP APPEARS TO HOLD OFF FOR THE HOLIDAYS BUT LAND DEFENDERS ON HIGH ALERT AS NEW YEAR APPROACHES 

HEAL THE PEOPLE - DEFEND THE LAND 

The new checkpoint 20km east of the Wedzin Kwah bridge & the Unist'ot'en camp and Healing Centre is being reinforced and solidified.

The  second checkpoint at km 44 of the Morice River FSR - on Gitdumt'en clan territory - is being enforced by all five Wet’suwet’en clans.

When, not if, the RCMP move against the checkpoints it is not just First Nations land defenders in their sights - it is you, your family, the entire biosphere they will be attacking.

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts the global average temperature increase will surpass 1.5 degrees within 12 years. That is the maximum safe rise over pre-industrial levels set by the 1992 International Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Once we blow through that theoretical "safe point" on our way to 2 degrees and beyond, all bets are off with regard to the survival of human, in fact all life, on the planet. Meanwhile governments and the corporations that largely determine public policy are doubling down on the fossil fuel economy. Short-term thinking and rapacious greed at the pinnacle of their life-destroying trajectory.

Fracking in northeastern BC - the source of the methane gas to be shipped to and liquefied at Kitimat on the coast - is probably the most extreme and destructive example of this insanity. When one has to poison increasingly scarce fresh water with toxic chemicals and then force it under extreme pressure to blast solid shale rock to release microscopic bubbles of flammable gas, one might think it is time to re-think our hydrocarbon based industrial system.

Not apparently for TransCanada Corporation which owns the Coastal Gaslink pipeline project, nor the partners in LNG Canada:Shell, PETRONAS, PetroChina, Mitsubishi and KOGAS. Nor the governments of British Columbia and Canada. That is why our best hope to prevent global catastrophe is the resolve, determination and strength of First Nations who by defending their sovereign territories are defending all of Mother Earth. 

Considering the ‘full life-cycle’ emissions, some critics have argued unconventional natural gas extraction could lead to higher pollution rates than other fossil fuels. A study by the Pembina Institute found that if five LNG proposals become operational, it could result in almost as much carbon emissions than what the Alberta oil sands currently produce If there is no pipeline through Wet'suwet'en territory there will be no giant gas liquification facility in Kitimat and fracking in the Peace River region will be seriously curtailed if not stopped entirely. 

Support the Unist'ot'en and Gitdumt'en checkpoints - they are our best line of defence!

And if you haven't yet sent your message to political leaders it is never too late to add to their inboxes.


 https://actions.sumofus.org/a/no-pipelines-through-unis-to-ten-lands


REINFORCEMENTS ARE  STILL NEEDED ON THE FRONT-LINE! But....

It is standard practice for the RCMP to try to infiltrate agents and even provocateurs into movements they plan to suppress with force. It would be naïve to think they aren't doing so in this situation.

We therefore prefer volunteers at this critical time to either have previous experience at the Unist'ot'en Camp or be able to provide at least two references from someone who has been to the Camp or is well known within the movement. 

If  you meet that criteria and are physically fit for the hard work of supporting the camp and checkpoints (especially during the northern winter), prepared to commit at least two weeks or more and are prepared to work under the leadership and protocols of the Indigenous stewards of the Yintah then register
HERE.

And thanks to those who stepped up with offers of transportation in response to our previous call-out. Vehicles are still needed so please register above or reply to this email if you can assist in that way.


 

Your Support is Making a Difference. Now is the Time to Step Up Solidarity Actions!


In Vancouver there are plans for a solidarity action to take place the day after there is news of any attempted incursion into Gitdumt'en or Unist'ot'en territory. Supporters are asked to gather at the offices of VANDU (380 E Hastings) at 9:00 am the following day.

If you live outside the Lower Mainland please consider taking action in your own community along with other Indigenous Rights and Climate Justice activists in your area.

Here again are some of the other important ways you can support the Unist'ot'en, Gitdumt'en and the entire Wet'suwet'en Nation.
 

Donate to the Wet'suwet'en Access Point on Gitdumt'en Territory: https://www.gofundme.com/gitdumt039en-access-point

 

Donate to Unist’ot’en Camp: http://unistoten.camp/support-us/donate/

 

Donate to Unist'ot'en Camp Legal Fund: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/unistoten-camp-legal-fund

Get updates from Wet'suwet'en Access Point on Gitdumt'en Territory:
 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:
 
Write an organizational letter of support and send it to the provincial and federal governments. Here are examples of what others have sent:
 
Respect the Rights of Unist’ot’en Land Defenders from Union of BC Indian Chiefs
 
Statement of Support for Unist’ot’en Camp from Heiltsuk Nation
 
Letter of Support from Namgis First Nation
 
Letter of Support from Klabona Keepers
 
Statement from Canadian Union of Postal Workers
 
 
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO -SIGN THE PLEDGE:
 
Join 4288 organizations and individuals in signing the pledge in support of Unist’ot’en: https://goo.gl/forms/u5vVJbQQf0nHNghN2