Reconciliation is Dead: A Strategic Proposal

by tawinikay (aka Southern Wind Woman)

Reconciliation is dead. It’s been dead for some time.

If only one thing has brought me joy in the last few weeks, it began when the matriarchs at Unist’ot’en burned the Canadian flag and declared reconciliation dead. Like wildfire, it swept through the hearts of youth across the territories. Out of their mouths, with teeth bared, they echoed back: reconciliation is dead! reconciliation is dead! Their eyes are more keen to the truth so many of our older generation have been too timid to name. The Trudeau era of reconciliation has been a farce from the beginning. It has been more for settler Canadians than natives all along.

Australia: Aboriginal protesters explain motivations behind Canberra sit-in

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders protesting in the Marble Foyer at Parliament House in Canberra.

About 100 Indigenous people and supporters called for an end to fracking, coal mining and water sharing.

NITV, Feb. 13, 2019

Bradley Farrar had never been on a plane before he made the journey from the Northern Territory to Canberra to join a sit-in about environmental issues.

The clan leader of the Alawa tribe felt compelled to come and represent his people, who he says will suffer if planned gas fracking projects eventuate.

Wet’suwet’en Strong shirts dominate All Native Tournament opening ceremonies

Committee vice-president says the basketball tournament in Prince Rupert shouldn’t be about politics

 

Shannon Lough, Coast Mountain News, Feb. 11, 2019

The 60th All Native Basketball Tournament opening ceremonies wasn’t without controversy.

Entire teams dressed in T-shirts with “Wet’suwet’en Strong” printed on the front and “Unceded” on the back. Some players held signs reading “We stand with Wet’suwet’en” as they paraded through the court.

Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders, supporters call for stop work order on Coastal GasLink pipeline

Pre-construction work on the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline is underway along the Morice Forest Service Road near Smithers in northern B.C. (Chantelle Bellrichard/CBC)

Pre-construction work underway in territory past Unist’ot’en camp

by Chantelle Bellrichard, CBC News, Feb 03, 2019

Driving along the forest service road outside Houston, B.C. voices come in and out over the radio channels as people co-ordinate with one another at a worksite for the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline.

45 #NoDAPL Cases Dismissed; Warrants Quashed Upon Review Ordered by Judiciary

Masked warriors on top of destruction machinery at Dakota Access Pipeline construction, North Dakota. Photo: West Coast Women Warriors Media Cooperative.

North Dakota prosecutors abandon dozens of cases due to no “good faith belief that the underlying charges can be proven.”

 

By Water Protector Legal Collective, January 31, 2019

On December 7, 2018, Water Protector Legal Collective received an early winter solstice gift that we have had to keep confidential until now. On behalf of the judiciary in the South Central Judicial District, North Dakota, Judge Gail Hagerty ordered the State’s Attorney’s office to review, within 30 days, all NoDAPL cases attached to 84 inactive warrants. Judge Hagerty wrote:

Wet’suwet’en complaints about pipeline builder to be probed by government, police

President of Coastal GasLink pipeline Rick Gateman leaves the Office of the Wet’suwet’en after meeting with RCMP members and hereditary chiefs in Smithers, B.C., on Jan. 10. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)

Wet’suwet’en say traplines and tents destroyed, archeological impact assessment not yet done

The Canadian Press, Jan 29, 2019

The British Columbia government says it will inspect the site of a planned natural gas pipeline southwest of Houston following allegations that the company building the project is violating its permits.

Coastal GasLink stops work on pipeline in northern B.C. due to trappers accessing animal traps

RCMP officers look on as contractors pass through their roadblock as supporters of the Unist’ot’en camp and Wet’suwet’en First Nation gather at a camp fire off a logging road near Houston, B.C., on Jan. 9. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Company blames shutdown on hunters accessing animal traps within work boundaries

The Canadian Press, Jan 25, 2019

Coastal GasLink has stopped work on a pipeline project in northwestern B.C. where 14 people were arrested earlier this month.

In a notice posted on its website Thursday, the company says it halted work in an area south of Houston, B.C., because traps had been placed inside construction boundaries and people were entering the site, raising safety concerns.

Port authority imposes ban on development around Lelu Island

The site of the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG plant, Lelu Island, near Port Edward, BC Photograph by: http://www.lonniewishart.com , Vancouver Sun

Following Pacific Northwest LNG, there will be no future projects proposed near Flora Bank

by Shannon Lough, Northern View, Jan. 17, 2019

There will be no industrial development in the marine area next to Lelu Island.

On Thursday, Jan. 17, the Prince Rupert Port Authority announced it’s placing a developmental moratorium on Flora, Agnew and Horsey Banks to ensure the protection of marine habitat.

Indigenous ownership won’t solve problems with Trans Mountain pipeline, says Squamish Nation councillor

Proposal to buy pipeline being discussed by Indigenous leaders

CBC Radio, Jan 17, 2019

More than 100 First Nations are considering a plan to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline, but not all Indigenous leaders affected by the expansion are convinced.

“For us, it doesn’t change anything, who owns it,” said Khelsilem, a Squamish Nation councillor.

B.C. chiefs show solidarity with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs

Unist’ot’en camp founder and spokesperson Freda Huson at a gathering of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and supportive chiefs from around B.C. outside of the Coastal GasLink pipeline route. Over 200 were in the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre in Smithers to hear speeches ahead of a march. (Chris Gareau photo)

Chiefs from around B.C. outside the Coastal GasLink pipeline route in Smithers show support.

by Chris Gareau, Interior News, Jan. 16, 2019

Chiefs from the B.C. coast, Interior and Northwest converged in Smithers to show support for the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs’ opposition to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline.