Workshop presenters Amanda Lickers and Crystal Greene present a teach in and strategy session on extractive energy projects in the East of what is called "Canada" on Turtle Island, focusing specifically on the TranCanada Energy East, or "Energy Beast" pipeline project, a project larger than the Keystone XL pipeline. Amanda begins with a short overview of numerous examples of Indigenous land defense happening in the east, from the Innu and Project Nord to the community of Elsipogtog and SWG. 

Then, Crystal and Amanda detail the project, which was announced last year. The Energy Beast project, which is proposed to go from Hardisty, Alberta, to St. John's, New Brunswick, to export tar sands heavy crude oil or bitumen, a highly corrosive and volatile oil. Irving, the largest tar sands refinery in so-called Canada, is the end point of this pipeline and they are also proposing a marine terminal in the Atlantic ocean.

The second half of the workshop is a strategy session on how community members can take meaningful action against pipelines threatening to destroy Indigenous territories everywhere. Different approaches to action are discussed, with a focus on where the "points of intervention" are and the effectiveness of direct action. Onward!

Presentation on Resistance to the Energy (B)East pipeline at Unist'ot'en Camp 2014

Today on youth radio from the road, I got to interview member of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation Molly Wickham, at the 2014 summer Unist'ot'en action camp. Molly has recently moved out on the land with her partner and young son and she describes her experience of it and she also describes her work with Indigenous youth in custody. At the Victoria Youth Custody Center, Molly and her sister facilitated spaces where Indigenous youth could talk about their experience of prison and colonialism and racism.

Youth Radio Interview With Molly Wickham on Justice for Indigenous Youth in Prison

Ten year old Destiny, a member of the Unist’ot’en clan of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, speaks to interviewer Annie Banks, at the Unist’ot’en Camp in July 2014.

Destiny describes her responsibilities as the next in line to be chief, from Unist'ot'en Camp, an Indigenous homestead that is described as a “non-violent occupation of Unceded Unist'ot'en territory” and a “peaceful expression of our connection to our territory". 

Destiny talks about her experience at Unist'ot'en Camp, her responsibilities which include performing protocol with visitors to the camp, and her advice for other youth who are also facing down the threat of pipelines in their communities.

And she shares her beautiful singing voice.

Please learn more about how you can support Unist'ot'en Camp here: 
Website: http://unistotencamp.com/
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Twitter: @UnistotenCamp


Interview With Unist'ot'en youth Destiny

Organizer/artist/mama in Huichin, Ohlone territories/Oakland CA.

Annie Morgan