Wet’suwet’en Statement of Solidarity

The undersigned faculty and associates of the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies stand with Wet’suwet’en land defenders and hereditary chiefs in the face of unconsensual intrusions into their homelands and violent removal of community members from their territories. Indigenous nations in what is now known as the province of British Columbia have a rich history of protecting the lands and waterways central to the health of their communities, past and future.

The Wet’suwet’en land defenders are continuing to assert their laws and uphold their obligations to their ancestors, to the land and to future generations. The BC government has historically refused to recognize Indigenous peoples’ sovereign claims to land, and absent such agreement being negotiated in good faith, many Indigenous people in the province remain steadfast that the land remains theirs and as such still falls under their jurisdiction.

We condemn the escalating use of police force and militarized approaches to removing land defenders. The court’s narrow interpretation of Indigenous rights and title prioritizes economic development over the long-term well-being of the land and water upon which we all depend. This has placed an unjust burden on communities faced with making decisions about the future of their land and nations.

We encourage continued support for the ongoing solidarity actions unfolding across the country and internationally. #AllEyesOnWet’suwet’en!

If interested in adding your name to this list, please email cis.program@ubc.ca. The list will be updated periodically.

 

Tłaliłila’ogwa / Sarah Hunt, Kwagu’ł(Kwakwaka’wakw Nation)

Glen Coulthard, Yellowknives Dene

Candis Callison, Tahltan

Daniel Heath Justice, Cherokee Nation/ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ

David Gaertner

Mark Turin

Daisy Rosenblum

Candace Kaleimamoowahinekapu Galla, Kanaka Hawaiʻi

Dory Nason, Anishinaabe

Sarah Siska

Sarah Bednash

Sally Smith

Kim Lawson, Heiltsuk Nation

Maggie Moore

Tanya Bob

Margot Butler

Marny Point, Musqueam

Emma Feltes

Tamis Cochrane, Taku River Tlingit

Amy Perreault, Métis

Silken Handford-Perronnet

Janey Lew

Linc Kesler

Karleen Delaurier-Lyle

Sarah Dupont, Métis

Adina Williams, Squamish Nation

Margo Tamez, Nde’ (Lipan Apache) Dene (UBCO)

Susan Paterson

Amy Vozel

 

External to UBC:

Amaia Gabantxo, Basque (School of the Art Institute of Chicago)

Gary Warrick (Indigenous Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University)

Alanaise Goodwill (Simon Fraser University)

Jeannie Morgan (Simon Fraser University)

Alanna de la Vega (Simon Fraser University)