Second faculty walkout in less than one month for Wet’suwet’en

University of Windsor’s Shkawbewisag Student Law Society and other student activist groups left their classes to march on the Ontario Court of Justice in an act of solidarity for Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.

Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty members were among the crowd that made its way downtown via University Avenue around noon on March 4. The same day, students organized similar demonstrations at about 30 universities across Canada. Among the issues being contested are the use of federal and provincial police forces to dismantle demonstrations and the perceived government’s failure to observe First Nations peoples’ right to Free Prior and Informed Consent.

The RCMP sparked a nationwide outcry on Feb. 6 when forces entered Wet’suwet’en territory to enforce an injunction order obtained by Coastal Gaslink. Arrests were conducted to remove Wet’suwet’en First Nations people from blockade encampments.

Indigenous law professor and Idle No More founder Sylvia Mcadam spoke out against the B.C. provincial government for allowing First Nations peoples to be arrested while hereditary chiefs won the right to Aboriginal title and jurisdiction over the 60,000 square kilometres of unceded territory.

“The Wet’suwet’en people have a right to say no and they have a right to protect their lands,” said McAdam. “We need to continue pressuring Canada to honour the Delgaamukw decision—which is a supreme court decision. As well as to honour and respect indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.”

First Nations law student, David Pitawanakwat, sent a message of his disapproval for the old ways of Canadian governments.

“This isn’t the way it should be,” said Pitawanakwat. “Not in my territory. What is happening around Canada and the United States has been the status quo for over 200 years.”

Pitawanakwat is Indigenous to Wiikwemkong unceded territory, located in Northern Ontario, but feels a strong sense of solidarity for the Wet’suwet’en people.

“Fighting for the earth, protecting your territory or demanding recognition is no laughing matter,” he said.

Issued on Mar. 1, a joint statement from B.C. Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en said, “on the Coastal GasLink project, the parties engaged in direct discussions, and explored means to come to a resolution. The province agreed to provide further information on the project. All parties at the table recognize that the differences relating to the CGL project remain.”

In Ottawa, Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services stressed the importance of dialogue with First Nation peoples of Canada at an emergency House of Commons debate held Feb. 18.

“We have all seen what happens when we do not work together and engage in dialogue. We end up with mistrust and confusion over who should speak on behalf of rights holders on issues like consent, as well as the rights and titles of indigenous peoples. This confusion can lead to conflict, as we are seeing now, and prevents us from moving forward together.”

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