Métis Statement of Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders

IF YOU ARE MÉTIS, please go here to sign this statement of solidarity: https://forms.gle/np6LEh2HZpK83CF28

(See a list of all signatures at any time here: https://tinyurl.com/s89ebgo, all names have to be manually checked so there may be a delay between submitting your name and seeing it on the list)

On February 4th 2020, just days before the RCMP launched military-style raids on Wet’suwet’en territory, the Métis National Council (MNC) released a statement applauding a court decision to uphold the Trans Mountain pipeline approval, calling it a “nation-building project”. The MNC say they support “a balanced approach to economic development, one that encourages economic development while protecting the environment and the rights and interests of our people”.

Then, on February 21st, after weeks of nation-wide solidarity actions and ongoing RCMP presence in Wet’suwet’en territory, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) felt it appropriate to release a statement explicitly rejecting solidarity with Hereditary Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en and land defenders, calling the conflict an internal dispute. Referencing the Métis nation’s long history of resistance to cushion the blow of taking this position, and repeating Canadian government talking points about outside “environmentalists and sympathizers”, the MMF insists that the only legitimate actions may be taken under the direction of Wet’suwet’en Indian Act governments.

To date, none of the provincial Métis organizations have issued any statement of support with a people who are continuing to face violence from the RCMP, a current iteration of the North-West Mounted Police; that paramilitary organization launched against the Métis and our allies to forcibly remove us from our lands, who murdered, and continue to murder our citizens and political leaders alike to advance the colonial interests of the Canadian state. Nor have these provincial or national organizations issued a condemnation of the Canadian Prime Minister who yesterday declared “we have exhausted our capacity to engage in a positive, active way to resolve this and the onus is now on Indigenous leadership to move forward on reconciliation.” It is incumbent upon Métis leadership to remind the Canadian Prime Minister that reconciliation is not a cudgel to use against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit to ensure our compliance.

Yes, the issues are complicated. Questions of political legitimacy are not isolated to the Wet’suwet’en but also lay at the core of Métis relationships with provincial and national organizations that claim to represent us as nations. The Canadian legal landscape in this situation is muddled by ignorance around and misunderstandings of Supreme Court decisions like Delgamuukw [1997] and Tsilhqot’in [2014], of the recognized authority of Hereditary Chiefs versus Indian Act elected band councils, of environmental regulatory processes that we now know rejected Coastal GasLink’s environmental assessment report, and how this raises vital questions about how the RCMP had any authority whatsoever to impose an injunction without this legal basis for the commencement of work on Wet’suwet’en lands.

The Indigenous legal landscape is much clearer; as Indigenous peoples, our nations have a responsibility to our human and non-human kin, our lands and waters. Further, as Indigenous nations we continue to face genocidal violence in all aspects of our lives under a white supremacist, settler colonial system that does not even regard our non-human kin, the lands or the waters, as beings with inherent rights, but rather as objects, “resources” to be extracted, even destroyed. When conflict occurs between the Canadian state, and First Nations, Métis, or Inuit peoples, it is vital that our leadership at all times recognize that violence visited upon any Indigenous community can just as soon be violence visited upon our own families. Regardless of how “complicated” situations can be, we must not default to siding with the state that continues to administrate Indigenous oppression, that fights in their courts to continue discriminating against First Nations children, that denies truth to the survivors of Residential and Day Schools, that criminalizes land defence and Indigenous dissent, and that weaponizes “reconciliation” against us.

Métis call ourselves otipêyimisiwak, the People Who Own Themselves. Throughout our history we formed governing structures when needed, and then dissolved them when they no longer served their purpose. We are not shackled to the provincial and national organizations that claim to be our voice and our sole legitimate political representation, nor will we be silenced by them. We have always relied upon the political, social, and familial ties we have with other Indigenous nations such as the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, and that relationality requires constant care and renewal. We can and should be doing the work to expand these international relationships with all Indigenous peoples within so-called Canada as well as beyond these colonial borders.

As Métis, affiliated with provincial Métis organizations or not, we the undersigned reject these positions taken by the MNC and MMF. We assert and affirm our support for Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders, now and in future struggles. We recognize and thank all those who have acted in solidarity, especially recognizing the leadership of the women, youth, and Two-Spirit organizers who have mobilized to help protect and support our human and non-human kin. These brave defenders are fighting for us and the generations to come. We stand with you. We unreservedly condemn the actions of the RCMP and join our voices with our Wet’suwet’en kin to insist that the RCMP be withdrawn from Wet’suwet’en Yintah. We voice our solidarity with land defenders, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike across the country and even internationally. We call upon the provincial and federal governments of Canada to cease hostile police actions against land defenders both on Wet’suwet’en territory and those putting their bodies and futures on the line in solidarity. We call upon these settler governments to meet with the Hereditary Chiefs in nation-to-nation talks and to respect the tenets of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. Finally, we call upon all Metis provincial and national organizations to take up our responsibilities as a nation who have felt the full weight of military occupation and forced expropriation of our lands and to immediately take an unequivocal position of solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people and Hereditary Chiefs. We refuse to let the false promises of state recognition take precedence over our responsibilities as Indigenous people to all our relations.

In solidarity,

Molly Swain (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Chelsea Vowel, Lac Ste. Anne (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Mike Gouldhawke

Trevor Nault

Erin Konsmo (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Ol Carcajou

Ally Freedman

Lisa Osler

Danielle Mitchell

Jesse Donovan

Treena Chambers (Métis Nation of B.C.)

June Scudeler, Vancouver Métis Community Association

Paige Wall, Métis Nation of Alberta

Rob Larocque

Rhonda Anderson, MNA

Craig Whittles (Métis Nation of B.C.)

Tantoo Cardinal

Meika Taylor (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Ned Pines, Turtle Mountain Chippewa

Samantha Nock

Cara Mumford, Métis Nation of Alberta

Chantale Garand, MMF

Joseph Pruden (Métis Nation of BC)

Kayla Pituka ( Métis Nation of Alberta)

Alex Zelasi

Patricia Young

Dorian Jensen, MMF Citizen

Jim Kapakos

Robert Lambert MNBC

Gabrielle LeClair

Victoria May, MMF

Brittany Mathews (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Brandi Morin, Cree/Iroquois/French Journalist

Mickilus ”Micki” Laramie-Belcourt, Georgian Bay Metis

Dixie Lee Vance Alberta Métis with both Cree & Mohawk Bloodlines

Christi Belcourt, Michif, Manito Sakahikan (Lac Ste. Anne)

Kateland Murphy

Karen Dingwall, Calgary, Metis Nation of Alberta

Bill Horn

Gwen Benaway

Renée Sheehy Grand River citizen

Shirley Richard

Kay D’Odorico, Métis Nation of Alberta

Kevin Goudreau

Shauna MacKinnon

Tasha Virtue (mno)

Tabatha Berggren Powell River Métis

Graham Giniw Paradis

Maria-Margaretta Red River Metis

Chantale Pineau, Manitoba

Tsatia Adzich, Tri River Metis (Smithers, BC)

Spirit Lavallee

Molly Cross-Blanchard, MN-S

Joshua Morin – St. Albert/Lac St. Anne/Edmonton (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Kade Ferris

Chloe Brown-Erlendson, MMF

Yvonne Houssin, St. Boniface

Laura Langstaff, Mid-Island Metis Nation

Shad Gereaux (Métis Nation Saskatchewan)

Christina Hardie, Métis Nation of Alberta Association

Heather Doherty MNBC & Powell River Metis Nation

Carley Lepine, Manitoba

Nicki Ferland, Chair, Two-Spirit Michif Local

Candice Behrendt, Winnipeg, MMF Member

Nate Werner, Red River Métis.

Patricia Grimwood

Chantal Fiola, Two-Spirit Michif Local (Winnipeg Region, MMF)

Karen McGill (Manitoba Metis Federation)

J. D. Chalifoux

Kisha Supernant

Jessica Stefanik

Norma Fiddler

Tony Masiuk (MMF citizen)

Michelle Murphy, MMF

Damien Maje

Sasha Rochon Métis nation of B.C.

Isadora jensen

Lisa Beckman

Trish Pal

Jessica Osborne

Marge Whittles (Métis Nation of B.C.)

Emma Cardinal-Bast

Barbara Welburn, Metis Nation of Ontario

Savanna Todd, Metis-Cree (Saint Paul de Métis settlement, Alberta) Metis Nation B.C

Christina Beaudin, MNO

Tania Nault

Tim Preston

Bryan Stephenson (Chilliwack Métis & Fraser Valley Métis)

Marc Lapensée (MMF)

Amelie Roberts, Winnipeg

Mitch Case Métis from Manitoba and Ontario – President of the MNO Youth Council

Yvonne Marie Parent

Sydney Hannusch, MNO

Casey Koyczan

Donna Grayer Michif from Manitoba, citizen of MNO

Rachelle Perron

Thelma L Evans, MNA

Brigette Demerais

Angel Robinson

Marlee Paterson, Métis Nation Greater Victoria, MNBC

Katie Baltzer, MNO

Cynthia Paisley

Marlee Laval

Kailynn Wilson, MNO

Riley Allard, Interlake Region

Rebecca major

Myrica Brown

Taylor Goodon

Boston Lafferty, MNA member

Lucy Fowler (2Spirit Michif Local, MMF)

Warren McFadden, Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario Region 4

Byron (Longlade) Goodchild MNO

Darren Patenaude Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement

Stephanie Perkins

Taylor Daigneault, Two-Spirit Michif Local (Winnipeg Region, MMF)

John Hainikenne Michif, Metis Heartland Forest, sk

Raymond W. Aldred, Métis Nation of Alberta, Ph.D. candidate at McGill University

Erin Knight

Laura Cowie MMF Metis- Red River

Megan Brown

Audie Murray

Greg Taylor, Red River / MMF member

Jordan Skipper

Rachel Charette, Winnipeg

Rev. Billy Isenor, OSF

Patrick Alexandre Leclerc

Madeleine Urion

Tristan Dreilich

Brenda Menard RRS

Rosanne Gervais, Port Moody, BC

Céline (Lafontaine/Bellerose) Wick

Justin Wiebe

Kennedy Williams

Trevor Hanson, MMF

Kiana Raven Gagné Maas

Jacqueline Bellerose, East Prairie Métis Settlement

Karina Crow

Cora Bunn, MNO

Laura Forsythe

Kelsi-Leigh Balaban, Amiskwaciwâskahikan, Métis Nation of Alberta

Brenda Macdougall

Ralph Reynolds

Brenda Butler MNBC

J. Dusome

Cheryllee Bourgeois, Métis Midwife, SGMT, Toronto

Jim Roberts, Manitoba Métis Federation

Jessica Chisholm mmf Manitoba

Melissa Beaupré

Davis de Souza, Métis Nation of Alberta

Laura Blondeau Métis nation of sask

Cathleen Vowel (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Chelsea Wakelyn, Métis Nation of B.C.

Diane Simpson

Kai Pyle

Katie Sabberton. (Goodfellow bloodline, sixties scoop survivor)

Linda Clarkson

Aaron Dunbar

Savannah McKenzie, Métis Nation of British Columbia

Keegan D. Of the Red River Métis as represented by the MMF

Sheila Grantham

Rachel Charette, Winnipeg

Tracy Marie Burkosky (MNA)

Paula Kjos

Sheena Gering MNA member

Krista Gardyne

Jacqueline Freeman, Winnipeg. MICHIF

Michelle Su Métis nation of BC

M. Champagne

Renita Jager Métis Nation of BC, Powell River Métis Society

Tracie Léost

Jennifer Smith

Gina fiola

Aaron LaFournaise

Stefon Irvine

Richard Charpentier

Lucy Everett (MNBC with roots in Red River)

V.E.Levitt

Davene Dunn

Gordon Mark Perkins

Sydney Moore

Lynette La Fontaine

Curt Lavallee, Manitoba Metis Federation

Whitney Yarema

James Leask

Denise Chartrand

Micah Doerksen, St Boniface, Treaty 1 territory

Ted McNally Penetanguishene on.

Conor McNally (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Nicholas Bage

A. Quesnelle

Charlene Hallett, Winnipeg

Romeo Côté

Monica Cyr

K Fraser-Airhart; Edmonton; Métis Nation of Alberta

Richelle R

Ben Linnick, MMF

Waabagiizhigo Kwe / Alexis Causley MNO Region 4

Tammy Begamigeeshigok Porter, Métis Nation of Ontario citizen

Rebecca LaRiviere, Treaty 1, MMF

Elizabeth Danis

Mel Lefebvre

Tonia Laird, Saskatoon, Sk, CUMFI local 165

Kelly Selkirk

Artemis Caine (MMF)

Patricia Anderson. South central local manitoba

Michael Swain (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Carole Kowcun, MMF member

V.L. Aubichon (Métis Nation of B.C)

Lorna Fadden, PhD, JD

Sheila Laroque

Damase; Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3

Devonn Drossel, Métis Nation of Alberta

Stefany Shirley (MMF / Red River)

Carly Jones (Métis Nation of B.C.)

Monique Vermette

Wyatt S., otôskwanihk

Tyler Hagan

Aimée McGillis

Jacqueline Pelland

Sasha Simmons

Shara Masiuk

Brenda Young , AB

Remi Rheault

Jordy Sykes Mètis Nation of Ontario

Melanie Omeniho Les Femmes Michif Otipemsiwak

Elaine Savoie

Cal Martens ( J. Settee ).

Julie Flett

Amiel Flett-Brown

Liz Gilbert

Jenessa Galenkamp, part of the Drummond Island/Georgian Bay Métis, MNO

Sue Morrison, KMA

Kate Clements

Bre Quantrill

Thea Hinks BC Metis/Cree

Michael Joseph Guiboche.

Sandra DeLaronde

Christina-Lee senechal

Colby Bilodeau (Saskatchewan)

Jayme Menzies

Jac Curry (Métis Nation of British Columbia)

Joseph Chartrand

Amy Cardinal Christianson (Peeaysis Band, Métis Nation of Alberta)

Bob Montgomery mna

Kelly Dimmer, MNA

Barb Fayant

Dane Allard, Red River Métis (MMF)

Ramsey Mudryk, Region 2 Metis Nation of Alberta

Siobhan Menge

Jennifer Sedgewick

Charlene Lavallee Batoche Metis

Jessica Malcolm Metis Nation of Alberta

Denise Miller

Paul Gareau

M-L Perron

Robert Small, Rorketon, MB, MMF local

Cooper Skjeie

Carrieaw

Krista Amyotte

Jónína Kirton Métis Nation of British Columbia

C.Doucette Mattawa Metis (MNO)

Vicki Bouvier

Autumn Whiteway, Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3

Jana Giguere

Bailey Pitt, Métis Nation of British Columbia

Deanna Aubichon, MNS.

Morgan Hyde Nahanee

Heather Lucier

Angela Soulsby – RoosterTown, Manitoba

Andrea Arnold, MNBC, Nelson BC

Andrea McDermot Schibler

Britton Jacob

Danielle Atkinson, Metis Nation BC and Region 1 Youth Representative

Nicole Stonyk, Winnipeg Metis

Dennis Michaelson (MNO)

Cheryl Devin

Davene Dunn, Metis Nation Columbia River Society, Golden, BC

Emilie Morse

Jared Gowen

Kamala Jasmine Todd

Chloe Rickard

Michele Sarna, Winnipeg, MMF Member

Janis Brass, Métis

Keith Barker Métis Nation of Ontario

Sheridan Macaulay, MMF

Leo L-D

Mary Ann Morin, Green Lake SK

Rebecca Cuddy

Justice Maki-Chambers, MNO

Tiffany Shaw-Collinge, MNA

Jack Theis

Joanne Bean

Kendra Pegg, MNO citizen

Tara Berry

Jennifer Adese

Miranda Moran Saskatchewan

Charlie Fife , President Metis Federation of Canada

Justin Moore

Cindy Shales MNO

Jean Verdon

Steve Shales – MNO

Matt eccles

Courtney Vaughan

robert hebert , Ontario Metis

Mélanie Ritchot

Brenna Pacholko

Teara Fraser

Sarah Byers

Garrick Schmidt (MNS 103)

Diane Owen, Hanover ON

Jill Fast

David Garneau

Wabishkaa Miigwanabikwe Georgian Bay Métis – MNO

Duncan Mercredi

Lindsay DuPré (Métis Nation of Ontario, Red River)

David Henry Croteau

Tresley Tourond-Bouvier

Corinna Wollf, Saskatoon, CUMFI Local 165

Judith Desjarlais

Cooper DuPré

Dolorès Gosselin, Aînée Métisse francophone de la Rivière-Rouge.

Danika warman, MNO.

Matt Tétreault

Hannah Bihun

Melissa Button MNO

Josephine Mackenzie Metis Nation of Alberta member. Alliance Alberta

Sandra Slobodian MNGV MNBC ESQUIMALT

Alix Reynolds, Red River Métis

Laurie Minor, Red River Metis

Emily Simmonds

Lily friesen

Breen Ouellette

A Dusome

Toni Lavallie

Dylan Miner

Gabrielle Fayant

Sandra Fitzsimmons

Christine Kithcart TCMB

Wesley Fallis Two-Spirit Michif local MMF

Peter Lang- Chilliwack Metis Association. MNBC

Kisa MacIsaac

Angie Tucker, Region 3

Janet Miron

Leigha Briscoe

Tammi Marie Fitzsimmons

Sammy mitchell

Jessica Mayhew

Rob Hancock, MNGV

Lauren Redman

Sherise Fleury

Jenn Rands, Two-Spirit Michif Local (Winnipeg Region, MMF)

Lacy Petersen

John Poirier alexandria ont Canada

Maia Caron, Manitoba Metis Federation

Janelle Syring, Métis Nation of Ontario

Hannah Gentes (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Kae Normandeau

Rebecca Mador

Alastar – Amiskwaciwâskahikan

Sheri Nault

M. Jeannette Hansen MNA

Ashley Hayden

Olivia Golosky

Michele Morin

Rhia Schaerig

Patricia M. Barkaskas

Krista McNamara

Madeline Laurendeau, Red river metis

Courtney Sawatsky, Lorette, Treaty 1 Territory

Marcel Laurendeau

Tina Settee from Fish Lake Metis Heritage Site

Griffin Jones, Princeton University

Kevin Wright, Edmonton/St.Albert, Métis Nation of Alberta

Daniel Edwin Fontaine (Minichinas Hills, SK)

Elizabeth MacDonald Metis living on Algonquin lands

Runa MacBerger Metis on Algonquin lands

Crona MacBerger non binary Metis on Algonquin land

Valdine Flaming, Thompson local member, MMF

Siena Luz

Marc St.Germain

Brenda Laurin MNO

Susan Trabant, Prince George, BC

Jaime Morse

Randy Mercier

Leah Hershfield

Laura St Amant, MNO

Broderick Causley, MNO Region 4

Stephanie Nault

Julie Laurendeau

Zac Thiffault

Kristi Bridgeman, MNGV

Chantelle Nault, Red River Metis, MNO

Kristi Bridgeman, MNGV

Sarah Jo Wright

Chantal Hince Longobardi, St. Boniface, MMF

Tiffany Miller

Amanda San Filippo. Mmf

Sahra MacLean

Ted Norris

Elaine Brindley, from Treaty 7 territory, living in Tkaronto

Fallon Farinacci

Olivia Horzempa, Georgian Bay Métis Community, Métis Nation of Ontario

Leah Horzempa

Sherry Meilleur – McPherson Clan

Wayne Meilleur

Dewe’igan Barefoot

David Heinrichs (Two-Spirit Michif Local, MMF)

Samantha Matters, MNA

Rene Fournier – Saskatchewan

Patrick Carrier – MNBC

Raymond Nault – Manitoba

Blake Hunter

Gerald Lavallee

Heather Lash, of Manitoba and active in MNO

Leslie Sabiston. Selkirk. MMF

Cynthia Nolin Treaty 1 Local Winnipeg

Steven Faryna, UCreenian (Letendre dit Batoche bloodline)

Brett Chernow (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Laurel Maki with Manitoba Metis

Robert Lacroix – MMF

Réjean Lagassé

Trevor Spencer (Two Rivers Métis Society. MNBC)

Ariel Carrette (Métis Nation of Alberta)

Benny Michaud, St.Boniface, Manitoba

Carter Graveline, Manitoba Métis Federation

Brianna Reinson

Erin Fletcher

Alyssa Hourie

Jay Cardinal Villeneuve

Brian Gouliquer Metis Ontario

Shannon Buck

barry laliberty metis

Naty Tremblay – Great lakes metis nation, Point aux Roches

Gabrielle Gagnon

Jessica Cartwright Metis Nation of Alberta

Joanne Lavoie. Manitoba

Colin Wolf – Métis Nation of Alberta

Chanel Carlson

Andrew Bracken (MMF Descendant)

Maryel Sparks-Cardinal

Colby Lizotte, Fort Vermilion, Métis Nation of Alberta

Nadine Gagne

Olivia Goyer

Crystal Lepage

Jocelyne Bourbonnais Treaty 1 territory MMF Citizen

Elise Abrams-Ogg, Descendant from Batoche

Lisa Schnitzler/Morin (MNBC Youth)

Stephen Sobczak

Naomi Linklater Vancouver BC MNBC

Erin Stagg

Carolyn Marchand

Rielle Landry

Spencer John Lindsay

Jennifer Baird

Casandra woolever

Hudson woolever

Ophelia muench

Victoria Scattergood

Tamara L. Siuda

Stephen Hardy

Michael Stanley Allen Ontario Metis

Joe McKay MNA

Jocelyne Bourbonnais Treaty 1 MMF

Aven McKay

Cheryl-Anne E.Carr, MMF member

C. Madden-Carr, Red River Metis

Amber Figueiredo

Nicole Desnoyers, Red River Métis

Jim Morrison, MNO Drummond Island / Georgian Bay TYRMC

Kelsey Dandenault

Duane Hass (Metis Nation of Ontario)

Sharnelle Jenkins-Thompson

Danielle Chevalier

Daniel Iwama

Marie Williamson

Meaghan Salisbury

Ren Armstrong

Madelaine Murphy

Kristyna Frenken-Francis

Daniel Stark, Howse and Spence descendent

pierre bissonnette

Melissa Granovsky

Rheal Godin