Wet'suwet'en Territory & Push Comes to Shove

Ruth, my wife, was supposed to head to Kingston for what would have been an enjoyable sister's overnight with Shirley, a regular reader. The pajama party didn't happen because Ruth's train was cancelled, as dozens have been through the past few days because of a blockade of the tracks in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory just east of Belleville. Members of this First Nation are acting in solidarity with members of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in British Columbia. That group has been blocking workers from a company building a gas pipeline through their traditional unceded territory. 

The RCMP has moved in to make arrests of protesters, observers, even journalists, and to remove the blockade. There are now court injunctions against protesters at a number of sites across Canada where people have gathered to tangibly respond to what seems to be an injustice. Canada and BC have made noises about supporting UNDRIP, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP.). Canada was very slow to adopt UNDRIP and BC has done so, but neither government appears to want to honour it. 



Members of the Tyendinaga Mohawk territory blocked a railway near Belleville, Ont., roughly halfway between Toronto and Ottawa, in support of the We'tsuwet'en First Nation in B.C. (Courtesy Oyohserase Maracle)

The UN declaration, which was eventually adopted by the Trudeau government in 2016, but the clause that calls for “free, prior and informed consent” of Indigenous communities in matters that impact them" has been a controversial point. When push comes to shove, governments still choose to push and shove Indigenous peoples out of the way, as they always have. The colonial attitudes which go back centuries are still alive and toxic.

Ruth was disappointed by the change of plans but appreciated the deeper issues represented in the Tyendinaga blockade. Of course many other travelers were affected much more significantly. I think I will write our local Liberal Member of Parliament and others in government expressing my concern that ultimately the rights of so-called settlers take priority over Indigenous rights. This is an inconvenient truth which is simply wrong. 

Here is a link to the recent United Church of Canada release with these suggestions for our action, and addresses for leaders in various government positions: 

https://www.united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/wetsuweten-and-right-free-prior-and-informed-consent

What Can You Do?

Not just in the Wet’suwet’en case but in all cases where economic development comes into conflict with Indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination and to free, prior, and informed consent, please take the time to:

• THINK about the situation. Are all the voices that should be heard being heard? Are we seeking solutions through structures imposed on Indigenous Peoples by settler governments, or are we supporting self-determination?
• 
  
• PRAY for resolutions that are achieved peacefully, and are life-affirming. You can begin with the Moderator’s Prayer for Wet’suwet’en First Nation.
• 
  
• ACT to encourage governments to embody the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in their relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Contact the Prime Minister, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and Premier of British Columbia asking them to honour UNDRIP. Ask the Premier to met with the hereditary chiefs. Please also cc Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator Sara Stratton.