Indigenous Resistance to Mount Polley Mining Disaster

Indigenous Resistance to Mount Polley Mining Disaster

Four days ago the Klabona Keepers and the Secwepemc exercised their natural law and set-up a blockade at the Red Chris Mine to ensure that their land is not poisoned by another disaster like the spill at the Mount Polley mine.  Two days from now over 125 vigils for missing and murdered Indigenous women will be held from coast to coast to coast.  Two weeks ago Indigenous organizers from Idle No More and many other groups joined together for a massive Peoples Climate March in New York.  These are just a few glimpses of the powerful movement that we are a part of, a movement towards self-determination and the protection of our lands and waters.  Read more below!

Indigenous Resistance to Mount Polley Mining Disaster

BREAKING NEWS: Blockade at Red Chris Mine
The Klabona Keepers and the Secwepemc [Grandmothers Fireplace] are exercising their natural law, and asserting their jurisdiction to regulate industry in their own Territories by creating a blockade at Red Chris Mine:http://www.terracestandard.com/news/277522351.html

VIDEO: Klabona Keepers Shut Down Red Chris Imperial Mine:  http://vimeo.com/107615821
Klabona Keepers is an organization of Tahltan elders and families who occupy and use traditional lands near Iskut, British Columbia known as Tl’abāne, the Sacred Headwaters of the Stikine, Nass and Skeena Rivers. https://www.facebook.com/klabonakeepers

Yuct Ne Senxiymetkwe Camp
Secwepemc disaster monitoring checkpoint and encampment at the entrance of the Imperial Metals' Mount Polley Mine. https://www.facebook.com/yuctnesenxiymetkwecamp

OPEN LETTER regarding Union of BC Indian Chiefs Resolution 2014-17
“Support for Xat’sull and Williams Lake First Nations, Call for Public Inquiry and Mining Reform in the Aftermath of the Mount Polley Disaster”  Read more: Mount Polley Disaster: Support for Xat’sull and Williams Lake Nations, Call for Public Inquiry and Mining Reform

Indigenous Resistance to Mount Polley Mining Disaster
If you missed this incredible live webinar you can still check out the youtube video.  The third webinar from the #TurnTheTables webinar series organized by Idle No More and Defenders of the Land was moderated by Kanahus Manuel and included powerful testimony from Secwepemc Elder Jean William and Mining Researcher and Educator Joan Kuyak.  http://www.idlenomore.ca/mount_polley_webinar

Upcoming Events:

9th Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigils - Saturday October 4 across Turtle Island

Each year, family members, Indigenous community members, and concerned citizens gather for a vigil on October 4 to honour the growing number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. As we do so, we remember the lives of sisters, daughters, mothers and grandmothers tragically taken from us. The SIS vigils educate the public on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, rally support, and compel the government to respond.

Vigils take place on Parliament Hill and in many communities across Turtle Island, as well as internationally.  See a list of the more than 125 vigils happening across Turtle Island compiled by the Native Women’s Association of Canada here.

Sign up to host an event here: www.nwac.ca

Past Events & Updates:

Indigenous Adult Adoptees and foster care survivors gathering in Ottawa

For the first time ever, adult adoptees of the “sixties scoop” and foster care survivors  gathered on unceded Algonquin territory. An amazing opportunity to come together and talk, share and support each other on our journeys. Adoptees were astonished at how similar their feelings were, and more events are planned for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The event was exclusively for adoptees and foster care survivors and created by adoptees/foster care survivors. It was a weekend of sharing, healing, tears, hugs, ceremony, talking, listening, eating and laughter!

Idle No More @ the Peoples Climate Week in New York

Dozens of Idle No More organizers joined hundreds of Indigenous leaders from across Turtle Island and beyond to gather at the Peoples Climate Week in New York.   Together we sent a clear message that Indigenous Peoples are leading the defense of our climate and that violence against the land begets violence against Indigenous women.  Check out the videos below or click here for the full Idle No More coverage of the Peoples Climate Week.

Idle No More organizer Erica Violet Lee gave a powerful speech at the opening plenary of the Peoples Climate Week and also spoke at an event titled: Native American Resistance in the 21st Century: Idle No More and the Climate Justice Movement.

http://youtu.be/tE6fwplfQkI

Idle No More brought down a delegation of 4 Indigenous Women who are leading the fight against extreme energy and co-organized an event with the New School and FrackAction titled: #Frack Off: Indigenous Women Leading Media Campaigns to Defend our Climate.

http://youtu.be/OoYWDcXl13c

Idle No More organizers and hundreds of other Indigenous Leaders from groups such as the Indigenous Environmental Network, the International Indian Treaty Council, and the Black Mesa Water Coalition formed the Indigenous Block of the Peoples Climate March. This block included beautiful banners from Idle No More Bay Area as well as a clear call to end C02lonialism and to respect Indigenous sovereignty and treaties.

http://youtu.be/qs585zaaMbM

Idle No More Info
http://www.idlenomore.ca/