Raising Resistance – Global Day of Action re-cap

Raising Resistance – Global Day of Action re-cap #nopipelines from Franklin Lopez on Vimeo.

Letter to Industry and Government with Warning About Trespassing on Wet’suwet’en Territory

Today Unist’ot’en allies are rising up in cities across North America, and around the world, to deliver a message to industry and government warning them to cease their trespass against sovereign Wet’suwet’en territory. The Global Day of Action is in response to an incident last week where Wet’suwet’en Chief Toghestiy intercepted and issued an eagle feather to surveyors from the Can-Am Geomatics company who were working for Apache’s proposed Pacific Trails Pipeline (PTP). (see full story here)

The letter, signed by Unist’ot’en spokesperson Freda Huson, specifically states: “To the illegitimate colonial governments of Canada and British Columbia, and to all parties involved in the proposed Pacific Trails Pipeline (PTP) project: Apache corporation, EOG Resources, Encana corporation and all of their affiliated investors, including the Royal Bank of Canada, Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd., and many others. This letter is to issue a warning of trespass to those companies associated with the PTP industrial extraction project and against any affiliates and contractors infringing upon traditional Wet’suwet’en territory.”

The letter makes clear to industry and government that the Unist’ot’en will regard any further incursion into their territory as an act of agression against their sovereignty and that violaters will be held accountable. This applies to all participants in the Pacific Trails Pipeline project – including parent companies, investors, and contractors. The Unis’tot’en (C’ihlts’ehkhyu / Big Frog Clan) are the original Wet’suwet’en distinct to the lands of the Wet’suwet’en and will protect the territory for the sake of future generations.

Solidarity Actions Across North America:

Montreal – Supporters gathered on a cold Montreal morning to express solidarity with the Unist’ot’en Clan of the Wet’suwet’en Nation and their refusal to allow the Pacific Trails and Northern Gateway Pipelines to cross their territory.

The group gathered in front of downtown offices of pipeline and tar sands investor Royal Bank. The crowd chanted, among other things: “no pipelines, no tar sands on unceded land,” “Unistoten stop the frack, Montreal’s got your back,” and “Free, prior and informed consent, Montreal represent!”

The group later visited the offices of Jarislowsky Fraser Limited, which is involved in funneling investors to the $1 billion Pacific Trails pipeline project. Security guards attempted to prevent the group from reaching the 20th floor, where were were greeted Erin O’Brien, Chief Financial Officer and Partner at Jarislowsky Fraser. She was presented with a copy of a letter from Unistoten spokesperson Freda Huson. O’Brien stated that she did not have time to hear the letter read or invite us in, suggesting that we make an appointment instead.

Vancouver –

More than 100 supporters of the Unist’ot’en were on hand this afternoon outside the Apache Canada office in downtown Vancouver. There were plenty of Vancouver Police on hand as well, serving and protecting the corporate agenda.

more: Raising Resistance – Global Day of Action re-cap | Vancouver Media Co-op