I’ve been trying to think of ways I can support the Wet’suwet’en peoples and their supporters in Canada. A few of us held a vigil in Des Moines, Iowa, a few weeks ago. But living in a small town, I’ve had trouble getting people together for another vigil.

So I was very interested to see the article quoted below making the connection that Canada, like Israel, was founded on the theft of lands, and the genocide and displacement of Indigenous peoples. And calls on Wet’suwet’en supporters to show their solidarity by posting photos of themselves with a message of support.

Of course the land called the United States was also founded on the theft of lands, and the genocide and displacement of Indigenous peoples who we should support however we can (more information about that below). And those of us who are White are on the “other side” of the Indigenous/White settler colonialist divide. But we can still show our support.

“As the Wet’suwet’en and their supporters face mounting arrests, state violence, and repression, it becomes ever more important that we form a transnational voice of opposition.”

As it says below, this idea is in response to a call for international support from the Wet’suwet’en Nation. There are concerns about cultural appropriation in situations like this. Many times, in videos and writings, I’ve heard pleas from Wet’suwet’en spokespersons to spread the word about what is going on. I’ve been writing posts about the Wet’suwet’en peoples and their struggles for several months now, and have received a few notes of appreciation from people involved in Canada.

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The following comes from the Wet’suwet’en Supports Toolkit. 2020
http://unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/
There is a great deal of useful information in the toolkit.

BUILD SOLIDARITY

• Form a supporter group in your local community, and brainstorm what you can do as a collective.
• Answer the Callout for Solidarity Actions in your region!
• Read up on Movement Defense: Legal information for Wet’suwet’en Solidarity for ways to keep yourself safe.
• Sign the Pledge to support the Unist’ot’en.
• If you are part of a labour union, academic department, or community group, organize to write a Solidarity Statement in support of Wet’suwet’en jurisdiction and governance. Get in touch to register – email solidarity@unistoten.com

DONATE

• Donate to Unist’ot’en Legal Fund
• Donate to Gidimt’en Access Point

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An example of a different way to support is to make a direct contribution to the Wet’suwet’en people (links above). Or contribute to Indigenous people in the U.S. who are connected to the Wet’suwet’en. My friends at Seeding Sovereignty are collecting money so their storyteller can go to the Wet’suwet’en territory. You can contribute here: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=66aaa5
In the field that says Questions/Comments indicate “storyteller“.

So I am asking those of you who support the Wet’suwet’en and feel comfortable doing so to post your own photo on the social media platforms you use. To share your photo by sending email to your friends. And encourage your friends to take their photos, too. In addition, I would love to build a gallery of these photos. I invite you to send me your photos, or links to your photos. One way is to email them to jakislin@outlook.com Thank you!

I am still trying to figure out how to take a selfie, as seen here. Obviously any photo will be greatly appreciated, selfie or not.

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In response to a call for international support from the Wet’suwet’en Nation, a Palestinian collective for Indigenous sovereignty are asking fellow Palestinians everywhere to voice their solidarity and commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and resistance.

Like much of the territory that Canada today claims sovereignty over, Wet’suwet’en land was never ceded or surrendered. The current invasion of their land by the RCMP (Canada’s federal police) and Coastal GasLink Pipeline amounts to an illegal occupation by Canada.

We call on fellow Palestinians living across Palestine and the diaspora to post selfies with a declaration of your solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en and all struggles for Indigenous sovereignty.

Tag with #palestiniansforwetsuweten and #wetsuwetenstrong

Wet’suwet’en land defenders have set up camps and checkpoints to reclaim their territories and stop the multibillion-dollar CGL pipeline project from moving ahead. They have also demanded that the RCMP and CGL leave the area and halt all construction. Learn more here. 

Hundreds of rallies, railway and highway blockades, and direct actions have emerged across the world in solidarity. As the Wet’suwet’en and their supporters face mounting arrests, state violence, and repression, it becomes ever more important that we form a transnational voice of opposition.

Post your selfie and a personalized message, or copy one of our sample messages:

As a Palestinian, I want to voice my solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation in their struggle against Canadian colonialism and illegal occupation

#PalestiniansforWetsuweten #WetsuwetenStrong

I stand with the Wet’suwet’en. From Palestine to Turtle Island, we stand together against colonialism #PalestiniansforWetsuweten #WetsuwetenStrong

Land theft, invasion, and illegal occupation? Wrong in Wet’suwet’en and wrong in Palestine. Decolonize from Palestine to Turtle Island 

#PalestiniansforWetsuweten #WetsuwetenStrong

Adalah Justice Project March 4, 2020

Canada, like Israel, was founded on the theft of lands, and the genocide and displacement of Indigenous peoples. Restriction of movement, dispossession and theft of land and water, and the creation of open-air prisons and bantustans have been strategies central to both Canadian and Israeli colonialism.

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Our vigil in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb 7, 2020

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