[WSMDiscuss] {Ubuntu} Fwd: Statement on Memorandum of Understanding from Gidemt'en Access Point / Join Freda Huson and Molly Wickham this Thursday May 7 at Noon

[Jai Sen]

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Turtle Island in movement…, Indigenous Peoples in movement…, Resistance in movement…

[Update on the struggles – and resistance - of the Wet'suwet'en on Turtle Island.  Here is a report that has appeared in The Globe and Mail (Canada’s largest newspaper) on the agreement between the federal and provincial governments and the hereditary leaders of the Wet'suwet'en, but which however is not just a ‘news report’ but also the reporters’ subjective reading of the implications and politics.  I’m copying in here Robert Ages, spokesperson for the Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade, for any comments or clarifications he might have :

B.C., Ottawa agree on process that would give power to Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders

Nancy Macdonald <https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/nancy-macdonald/> and Brent Jang <https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/brent-jang/>
May 6 2020

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-bc-ottawa-agree-on-process-to-give-power-to-wetsuweten-hereditary/ <https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-bc-ottawa-agree-on-process-to-give-power-to-wetsuweten-hereditary/>  



A rally in support of the Wet’suwet’en Nation in Smithers, B.C., Jan. 10, 2020.  (Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail)

The B.C. and federal governments have agreed on a process that would ensure hereditary leaders within the Wet’suwet’en Nation, not elected chiefs, have the power to exercise authority over what goes on in their traditional territory.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was ratified by hereditary leaders in late April after a series of presentations, would entrench the hereditary system of house groups as the recognized order of government.

The MOU also seeks to unify the split within the community between those who recognize the hereditary system as their preferred form of governance and those who support the elected chiefs and band councils.

The draft deal was reached in late February as the hereditary chiefs and their supporters blockaded construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, a crucial piece of infrastructure to the building of a massive project to export liquefied natural gas (LNG). Their protest garnered support across the country and led to blockaded railways, shutting down commercial traffic.

A resolution to the Wet’suwet’en’s dispute with Coastal GasLink was not reached and remains unresolved.

Details of the MOU were outlined in a PowerPoint presentation delivered in a series of clan meetings in March by hereditary chiefs. One presentation was photographed by a participant. It was then transcribed into a document, obtained by The Globe and Mail.

The MOU commits Canada and B.C. to recognizing that the 13 Wet’suwet’en house groups will act as the nation’s governing bodies. Rights and title will ultimately be held by them.

This effectively transfers the nation’s governing authority to the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, who helped craft the deal. However, the agreement also requires a six-month “reunification strategy,” in what appears to be an attempt to unite members behind the hereditary leadership.

The MOU stipulates that power will only be transferred once there is “clarity” on the Wet’suwet’en governance structures and laws.

Elected chiefs have strongly criticized the MOU and the ratification process, saying their representatives were not included by the B.C. and federal governments in emergency talks with hereditary chiefs about implementing rights and title.

The deal also alarmed others who have negotiated on behalf of Indigenous groups with an interest in resource development.

“This MOU consultation process has lacked any semblance of credibility,” the elected chiefs said in a statement. “The federal government, the provincial government and the hereditary chiefs have completely ignored many clan members and elected chiefs. These discussions have not included openness and respect for all parties.”

Eight hereditary house chiefs oppose the pipeline, while one house chief supports it and there are four vacancies. In contrast, five elected Wet’suwet’en band councils along the pipeline route support Coastal GasLink.

Coastal GasLink would transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to LNG Canada’s $18-billion export terminal under construction in Kitimat on the coast. About 190 kilometres of the 670-kilometre route crosses the Wet’suwet’en’s unceded traditional territory, known as their “yin tah.”

The group of eight Wet’suwet’en house chiefs has led a vocal campaign against the construction of the pipeline, saying hereditary leaders, not elected band councillors, have jurisdiction over their territory located outside of federal reserves.

In late April, those hereditary chiefs agreed to sign the landmark agreement with Ottawa and British Columbia, with a virtual signing ceremony scheduled for May 14.

The MOU acknowledges a lack of unity among the Wet’suwet’en – an apparent nod to the pipeline dispute, and the governance issues that grew from it.

“It is a legitimate concern of elected councils to say, ‘Well, where do we stand?’ Because this MOU has implications for Indian Act bands across the country,” said former Ontario premier Bob Rae, who works with First Nations across Canada as legal counsel and negotiator.

“What concerns me is there are many others who will look to this MOU and say, ‘This is the precedent,’ ” Mr. Rae said.

“We’ve really got to think: What are we doing here? What is the implication for the claim of the traditional governance structures that they are the ones who should be negotiating this, and not band councils?”

Maureen Luggi, elected chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, attended one of the clan presentations. She confirmed that the document’s contents reflected the information that clan members were given about the agreement, but cautioned that reunification will be a tough issue to tackle.

“When it comes to negotiating rights and title, it’s very difficult to achieve unity because we have been separate for so many years,” she said. Besides Ms. Luggi’s group, the other elected Wet’suwet’en councils along the pipeline route are Witset, Skin Tyee, Nee Tahi Buhn and Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake).

She said rights and title should be held as a collective, shared equally among members.

Two of the hereditary leaders, Ron Mitchell and John Ridsdale, did not respond to requests for comment.

All eight hereditary house chiefs who oppose Coastal GasLink attended three days of meetings in late February in Smithers, B.C., with federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and Scott Fraser, B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

In a letter dated May 2, those eight house chiefs and another hereditary representative said they acknowledge concerns raised by the elected band councils. The five elected chiefs say that they have been ignored in the process to reach the MOU, but the letter from hereditary leaders offers to “take some time to explore how we will work together, in our ancestral Wet’suwet’en homelands and communities.”

A statement from Ms. Bennett said her office previously contacted elected band chiefs to meet with them “virtually, or in person when it is safe to do so.”

Mr. Fraser said in an e-mail that he is “aware of concerns raised by the elected Wet’suwet’en chiefs and I will be reaching out to them to discuss this further.”

LNG Canada’s Kitimat terminal is being built on the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation, whose elected band council backs the LNG project and Coastal GasLink. Ellis Ross, a provincial Liberal member of the B.C. Legislature and former Haisla chief councillor, said uncertainty lingers over Coastal GasLink (CGL).

“This vague MOU is not about CGL, this is about a power struggle,” he said.



> On May 5, 2020, at 4:18 PM, Jai Sen <jai.sen at cacim.net> wrote:
> 
> Tuesday, May 5, 2020
> 
> Turtle Island in movement…, Indigenous Peoples in movement…, Resistance in movement…
> 
> [The struggles – and resistance - of the Wet'suwet'en on Turtle Island continue… :
> 
> Statement on Memorandum of Understanding from Gidemt'en Access Point
> 
> Agreement To Discuss Title Does Not Address Ongoing Conflict With Coastal GasLink
> 
> Join Freda Huson and Molly Wickham this Thursday May 7 at Noon
> 
> Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade
> 
>             In solidarity !
> 
>             JS
> 
> fwd
> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>> From: Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade <robertages at telus.net <mailto:robertages at telus.net>>
>> Subject: Join Freda Huson and Molly Wickham this Thursday at Noon
>> Date: May 5, 2020 at 3:57:48 PM EDT
>> To: <jai.sen at cacim.net <mailto:jai.sen at cacim.net>>
>> Reply-To: Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade <robertages at telus.net <mailto:robertages at telus.net>>
> 
> Virtual Rally with Freda and Molly
> Thursday at Noon <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=5eccd5259f&e=741cbc8f95>
> 
> Video Update from the Yintah
> 
> Statement on Memorandum of Understanding from Gidemt'en Access Point
> 
> In the last week the Wet'suwet'en Hereditary chiefs have reached an important memorandum of understanding with the province and federal government to recognize their title moving forward. The agreement is an important victory that was made possible because people have been willing to struggle and force the government to come to the table, but it does not address the conflict with CGL and the RCMP and that struggle continues. See the full statement from Gidemt'en Access Point below. 
> 
> This Thursday at Noon Freda Huson, Molly Wickham, and many more powerful speakers or holding an online rally to give updates on the struggle and demand that KKR, a crucial potential investor for CGL, not fund Coastal Gas Link. 
> 
> Please join and help get the word out by sharing the Registration Link <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=0886a24025&e=741cbc8f95> and Facebook Event Page <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=029bef655e&e=741cbc8f95>
> 
> Rally Speaker List
> 
> 💥 Freda Huson: Unist'ot'en Clan member, spokesperson Unist'ot'en Camp <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=171c68c906&e=741cbc8f95>, and founder of the Unist'ot'en healing centre
> 
> 💥 Molly Wickham: Gidimt'en Clan member and spokesperson Wet'suwet'en Access Point on Gidimt'en Territory <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=7092f434b0&e=741cbc8f95>
> 
> 💥 Tlux'shaa'du'stee, Liz Marin: Member of United for Respect <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=8a043b5faa&e=741cbc8f95> who has fought and won against KKR in the past
> 
> 💥 Janet MacGillivray: J.D., L.L.M., and Executive Director of Seeding Sovereignty <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=092d1c71d1&e=741cbc8f95>
> 
> 💥 Delee Nikal Wet'suwet'en Organizer from Gidimt'en Clan
>  
>  <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=d41fd6a99d&e=741cbc8f95>
> Yintah talks- Dinï ze’ edition <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=3b9f3bb795&e=741cbc8f95>
> 
> During these difficult times we remember our teachings and our laws. Our Dinï ze’ reminisce and discuss these destructive changes.
> 
> We echo our neighbours and relatives “Heal the land, heal the people” and encourage everyone to prepare for the worst as we pray for the best. Keep your language speakers safe and lean into the land for health and safety.
> 
> Hereditary Chief Gisday'wa speaking about meeting with Mohawks:
> 
> "When I thanked them for everything they've done for us, they shake my and and said 'No. We thank you. You guys are the heroes for what you're doing for your territory.' That's why they're backing us up. Same with the young people in Vancouver and everywhere. If we're not happy with what's happening, we'll stop Canada again. The Mohawks are ready, all across Canada people are ready." 
>  
> Statement from Wet'suwet'en Access Point on Gidemt'en Territory
> 
> AGREEMENT TO DISCUSS TITLE DOES NOT ADDRESS ONGOING CONFLICT WITH CGL
> 
> As a result of the conflict with Coastal Gaslink (CGL) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) specialized industry task force Community Industry Response Group (CIRG), the provincial and federal governments came to the table to discuss title implementation with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs. The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the Hereditary Chiefs and both levels of government does not directly address CGL or the RCMP on Wet’suwet’en yintah.
> 
> Along with thousands of our supporters across Turtle Island, we hoped that these discussions could end the conflict on the ground in Wet’suwet’en territory, although this is a step in the right direction, CGL continues to trespass on Wet’suwet’en territory in direct violation of the eviction order enforced by the Hereditary Chiefs on January 4th, 2020. RCMP and CIRG continue to patrol, surveil and harass people on our territories and threaten them with arrest while CGL continues to work.
> 
> We would like to clearly inform our supporters that the conflict with CGL and RCMP continues. We continue to oppose this project and the eviction order provided by the Chiefs still stands. In response, we have asked supporters to continue with safe and social distancing solidarity actions. We appreciate your unwavering support to this struggle and recognize that the outcome of this fight for our lands and water will have far reaching repercussions for every Indigenous nation across so-called ‘canada’ for generations to come.
> 
> Further, we are pleased with the innovative ways support has continued, accounting for the health risks of COVID19. We encourage everyone to stay safe and practise physical distancing at this critical time-- keeping our sacred knowledge keepers, language speakers, and vulnerable populations safe.
> 
> Efforts have included:
> * Virtual rallies and petitions to investors of CGL and LNG Canada
> * Film screenings and discussions
> * Weekly virtual info sessions
> * Lobbying governments (Bulkley Valley Regional District and Municipalities) to address RCMP and CGL contribution to the spread of COVID 19 in our communities.
> 
> The details of Wet’suwet’en title discussions are not public, however, we can expect the success or failure of the ratification process to be announced by the nation within the next few months. Until then, we continue to oppose this project and demand that CGL and RCMP get out and stay out of Wet’suwet’en yintah.
> 
> Gidimt’en Check-point
> 
> #WetsuwetenStrong <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=714f000fd1&e=741cbc8f95> #CrushCapitalism <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=5f0edd6da2&e=741cbc8f95> #NoTrespass <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=66bf6ba4f6&e=741cbc8f95> #WedzinKwah <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=7bba32acf4&e=741cbc8f95> #ShutDownCGL <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=6bc2ed2e38&e=741cbc8f95>
> See yintahaccess.com <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=3ae6dc097f&e=741cbc8f95> for more information on how to support the ongoing revitalization of yintah.
> 
> Supporter toolkit  <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=368652b88f&e=741cbc8f95>
> 
> Legal fund <https://facebook.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0103e92dff58215fc5fc7ac79&id=6c188bfe0b&e=741cbc8f95>
> 
> The Struggle Continues!
> -Unist'ot'en Solidarity Brigade
> 
> ____________________________
> 
> Jai Sen
> 
> Independent researcher, editor; Senior Fellow at the School of International Development and Globalisation Studies at the University of Ottawa
> 
> jai.sen at cacim.net <mailto:jai.sen at cacim.net>
> Now based in New Delhi, India (+91-98189 11325) and in Ottawa, Canada, on unceded and unsurrendered Anishinaabe territory (+1-613-282 2900) 
> 
> CURRENT / RECENT publications :
> 
> Jai Sen, ed, 2018a – The Movements of Movements, Part 2 : Rethinking Our Dance. Ebook and hard copy available at PM Press <http://www.pmpress.org/>
> Jai Sen, ed, 2018b – The Movements of Movements, Part 1 : What Makes Us Move ? (Indian edition). New Delhi : AuthorsUpfront, in collaboration with OpenWord and PM Press.  Hard copy available at MOM1AmazonIN <https://www.amazon.in/dp/9387280101/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522884070&sr=8-2&keywords=movements+of+movements+jai+sen>, MOM1Flipkart <https://www.flipkart.com/the-movements-of-movements/p/itmf3zg7h79ecpgj?pid=9789387280106&lid=LSTBOK9789387280106NBA1CH&marketplace=FLIPKART&srno=s_1_1&otracker=search&fm=SEARCH&iid=ff35b702-e6a8-4423-b014-16c84f6f0092.9789387280106.SEARCH&ppt=Search%20Page>, and MOM1AUpFront <http://www.authorsupfront.com/movements.htm>
> Jai Sen, ed, 2017 – The Movements of Movements, Part 1 : What Makes Us Move ?.  New Delhi : OpenWord and Oakland, CA : PM Press.  Ebook and hard copy available at PM Press <http://www.pmpress.org/>
> 
> SUBSCRIBE TO World Social Movement Discuss, an open, unmoderated, and self-organising forum on social and political movement at any level (local, national, regional, and global).  To subscribe, simply send an empty email to wsm-discuss-subscribe at lists.openspaceforum.net <mailto:wsm-discuss-subscribe at lists.openspaceforum.net>
> 
> -- 
> Has recibido este mensaje porque estás suscrito al grupo "Crisis de Civilización y Paradigmas Alternativos" de Grupos de Google.
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> Para ver esta conversación en el sitio web, visita https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crisis-de-civilizacion-y-paradigmas-alternativos/7581F805-1031-4022-81E2-F029F8AE9539%40cacim.net <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crisis-de-civilizacion-y-paradigmas-alternativos/7581F805-1031-4022-81E2-F029F8AE9539%40cacim.net?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

____________________________

Jai Sen

Independent researcher, editor; Senior Fellow at the School of International Development and Globalisation Studies at the University of Ottawa

jai.sen at cacim.net <mailto:jai.sen at cacim.net>
Now based in New Delhi, India (+91-98189 11325) and in Ottawa, Canada, on unceded and unsurrendered Anishinaabe territory (+1-613-282 2900) 

CURRENT / RECENT publications :

Jai Sen, ed, 2018a – The Movements of Movements, Part 2 : Rethinking Our Dance. Ebook and hard copy available at PM Press <http://www.pmpress.org/>
Jai Sen, ed, 2018b – The Movements of Movements, Part 1 : What Makes Us Move ? (Indian edition). New Delhi : AuthorsUpfront, in collaboration with OpenWord and PM Press.  Hard copy available at MOM1AmazonIN <https://www.amazon.in/dp/9387280101/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522884070&sr=8-2&keywords=movements+of+movements+jai+sen>, MOM1Flipkart <https://www.flipkart.com/the-movements-of-movements/p/itmf3zg7h79ecpgj?pid=9789387280106&lid=LSTBOK9789387280106NBA1CH&marketplace=FLIPKART&srno=s_1_1&otracker=search&fm=SEARCH&iid=ff35b702-e6a8-4423-b014-16c84f6f0092.9789387280106.SEARCH&ppt=Search%20Page>, and MOM1AUpFront <http://www.authorsupfront.com/movements.htm>
Jai Sen, ed, 2017 – The Movements of Movements, Part 1 : What Makes Us Move ?.  New Delhi : OpenWord and Oakland, CA : PM Press.  Ebook and hard copy available at PM Press <http://www.pmpress.org/>
SUBSCRIBE TO World Social Movement Discuss, an open, unmoderated, and self-organising forum on social and political movement at any level (local, national, regional, and global).  To subscribe, simply send an empty email to wsm-discuss-subscribe at lists.openspaceforum.net <mailto:wsm-discuss-subscribe at lists.openspaceforum.net>
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