On August 21st, a group of Wet’suwet’en Chiefs from the Likhts’amisyu Clan went to court for a second Motion to Strike hearing brought forward by the Canadian government as they continue to ignore their climate commitments. Canada is bending over backward to accommodate emission-polluting industries for profit over the planet, causing sea levels to rise, forests to burn, and glaciers to melt. Government inaction is affecting all of us now, particularly Indigenous Peoples who are trying to protect their rights and territories from the worst of climate change.
The Chiefs’ case stipulates that Canada is violating their s.7 Charter rights to life, liberty, and security of the person. By asserting their rights, these Wet’suwet’en House groups are taking legal action to hold Canada accountable to their global climate agreements.
The day before the hearing, RAVEN held an event at the Vancouver Unitarians, and we were lucky enough to hear from a few of the Chiefs. Musqueam Elder Shane Pointe welcomed us into the space with powerful words of solidarity. Then we got to hear from Dinï ze’ Kloum Kuhn, Dinï ze’ Dtsa’hyl, Hereditary Chief Tsebesa, and Wing Chief Hagwilowh, representatives from the Houses involved in the case. They shared testimony of the changes they have seen on their territory due to climate change, emphasized the importance of our responsibility to future generations, and reiterated just how much of an impact we can make when we work together. Dinï ze’ Dtsa’hyl said it best, “If you want to make change, you make that change. It’s like dropping a pebble in the water. It all ripples out.”
Watch the whole livestream below!
Thank you so much to everyone who came to the event and made posters of support. And thank you to everyone who joined on the livestream — it is inspiring to see just how far our solidarity reaches!
