Today the Coastal Gaslink company will be negotiating with the Wet’suwet’en traditional leadership. They may potentially allow workers past the barrier at Unist’ot’en Camp to conduct “pre-construction” activities.
However, the compliance with the temporary injunction is not a surrender on the part of the Wet’suwet’en. It was a tactical maneuver to gain advantage in the short term and prevent physical harm to members of the nation. The camp stands and the nation has no intention of allowing the pipeline to be built.
They aim to continue the fight. A legal battle may be brewing that could end up in the Canadian Supreme Court. It is possible physical confrontations will continue in the future as well. The Unist’ot’en have already defeated 6 of the 7 proposed pipelines across their land and do not mean to let this final pipeline be built.
The #Gidimten access point and camp has been emptied after the RCMP enforcement on Monday. But the checkpoint, now fortified, at #Unistoten remains in place.
— ChantelleBellrichard (@pieglue) January 10, 2019
“We must forcefully re-occupy the lands, if that’s what it takes. The lands are for the people”
Cody Wedlidi Merriman who was part of the #gidumten access point delivers a powerful statement
Watch the full video here https://t.co/j3XvW2met2#wetsuwetenstrong #unistoten pic.twitter.com/WhQs5xbylF
— submedia (@submedia) January 10, 2019
Hereditary chiefs made clear yesterday that these meetings and possible agreement do not mean they consent to Coastal GasLink building a pipeline in their territory. Said this is about keeping people at #Unistoten safe and preventing a second enforcement like the one on Monday
— ChantelleBellrichard (@pieglue) January 10, 2019
From the Unist’ot’en Camp website:
WAYS TO SUPPORT:
We are are humbled by the outpouring of solidarity and support for our Wet’suwet’en people. We expect RCMP aggression at any time. We are still fundraising for our legal battle in the colonial courts. Please donate.
DONATE to Unist’ot’en Camp Legal Fund
DONATE to Gidimt’en Access Point
COME TO CAMP: Supporters in the local area wanting to do something should head to KM 27 now. Meet at the junction of Morice River Road and Morice West where people are gathering to plan additional responses to this incursion.
HOST A SOLIDARITY EVENT: See the International Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en event page. We are conducting peaceful actions as sovereign peoples on our territories, and ask that all actions taken in solidarity are conducted peacefully and according to the traditional laws of other Indigenous Nations. Forcible trespass onto Wet’suwet’en territories and the removal of Indigenous peoples from their lands must be stopped. Provincial and federal governments must be confronted.
SIGN THE PLEDGE: Join thousands of organizations and individuals in signing the pledge in support of Unist’ot’en