This week we are rebroadcasting our interview with Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, initially released in February of 2019.

In light of the second invasion by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on February 6, 2020, we are releasing this episode with the hope that it provides some background for those who are just learning about TC Energy’s (formerly TransCanada) $6.6 billion proposed pipeline through Wet’suwet’en territory.

Our conversation with Eriel sheds light on what Unist’ot’en Camp represents, the ongoing history of surveillance faced by frontline protectors, how policy can be a tool of forced assimilation, and the illegality of the actions taken by Canada’s federal and provincial governments. The reoccupation of traditional territories cannot solely be understood in relation to pipeline development - it must also be understood as a means to decolonize, return one’s body to the land, connect with culture and identity, and revitalize forms of governance that seek to lead with the land, not exploit it.

Eriel Tchekwie Deranger is a Denesuline Indigenous activist, member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, and the Executive Director and co-founder of Indigenous Climate Action. Eriel has spent over 6 years building-up the highly successful international Indigenous Tar Sands campaign and has become widely known as one of the world’s most effective organizers and coalition builders to defend Indigenous people’s rights locally, nationally and globally.

This episode reminds us that corporate and colonial interests have always been deeply intertwined. While the state continues to prioritize the protection and expansion of infrastructure over people, we must encourage each other to see with a clear vision where the true threat lies. What is happening on Wet’suwet’en territory is not an isolated incident, but rather a magnified example of what is unfolding amongst Indigenous communities that are exercising their sovereignty, protecting the land, and taking a stand against exacerbating climate crisis and resource extraction.

*Note that our original interview refers to TransCanada’s LNG pipeline proposal, since this original release, TransCanada has changed its name to TC Energy.

♫ Music by Wildlife Freeway

Take Action

Unist’ot’en Camp is calling for solidarity action to stop any further development of pipelines on Wet’suwet’en territory. All of these action points are taken from the official Unist’ot’en Camp 2020 Supporter Toolkit.

If you live in so-called Canada, Unist’ot’en Camp is calling for supporters to occupy the offices of Canada’s Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament. If you live outside of the country, you can send an email to the provincial government of B.C. and the federal government expressing your outrage. For more information on whom to direct your email to and what to include, visit here and here.

Call a key government Minister to demand that they rescind the previously approved permits. For guidelines on what to say and to learn who you will be speaking to, visit here. 

Donate. By donating directly, your contributions ensure that supporters on the land have medical and food supplies. You can make a one-time donation, a monthly donation, or donate directly to the Unist’ot’en 2020 Legal Fund here. 

Host a fundraiser to help support the long-term expenses of sustaining Unist’ot’en Camp. For detailed guidelines on how to organize a fundraiser to benefit Unist’ot’en Camp, visit here. 

Educate yourself by reading Unist’ot’en Camp’s guidelines and resources on allyship and solidarity as well as their zine “Heal the people, Heal the land” here and here. 

If you are interested in learning more about Unist’ot’en’s “Call to Action” or physically volunteering at the camp, you can start by reading up here.