I am writing as a concerned citizen about the human rights violations and violations of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, among other things, that have been happening in Wet’suwet’en Territory. 

The Hereditary Chiefs have repeatedly stated they do not consent to this pipeline and people are being arrested for upholding their laws through their traditional governance system which has been recognized through the Delgamuukw-Gisdaywa Supreme Court of Canada victory December 11, 1997. 

Recently, your office agreed to intervene to criminalize Indigenous land defenders that were arrested on November 18th. I urge you to decline intervention on July 7th against Sleydo’ and others arrested.  That would further criminalize the land defenders currently facing charges as Coastal GasLink is requesting.

Violently entering homes without warrants is not the process for dealing with Wet’suwet’en sovereignty. The Hereditary Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation have stated their position and are defending their territory and sacred headwaters Wedzin Kwa as they have done since time immemorial. 

We as guests on unceded land need to respect the decisions of the Hereditary Chiefs and enact reconciliation instead of disrespecting and criminalizing them further for practicing their culture and laws.