February 11, 2020
We are honored to welcome Earth-Feather Sovereign to present for our February Gathering this Sunday, February 16th from 2-5pm at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (2315 Division St NW, Olympia 98502).
Earth-Feather Sovereign is well known for her work around the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and is co-founder of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Washington (MMIWW). To learn more about her life and work, please click here to read article: Love is Work in Action: Earth-Feather Sovereign, Activator
We hope you will join us in learning more about this important topic, and how we can support and uplift the work that is being done by Indigenous women to address this issue. Help spread awareness of the MMIW crisis by reaching out to your friends, family and community to invite them to attend this presentation.
Click here to download flyer for event. Please post and distribute widely.
As usual, presentation will be followed by a potluck. Please bring a healthy dish to share, and $5-20 suggested donation.
Continue reading for related events and news:
IN THE NEWS: RCMP Raid on Wet'suwet'en
On February 6th, the RCMP raided the Gidemt'en Checkpoint with helicopters, snipers, police dogs and tactical teams. Actions have been held across the globe in support of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, including in Vancouver BC where supporters blocked the Port of Vancouver for 3 days. Click here to read article: Wet'suwet'en supporters block Port of Vancouver for 3rd straight day, stalling port traffic
Articles to read and share:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip describes RCMP raid on Wet'suwet'en disgusting violation
BC Civil Liberties Association Open Letter Regarding Police Actions on Wet'suwet'en Territories
As RCMP Begins Arrests Gidimten Spokesperson Mollyu Wickham issues Delaration on Wet'suwet'en rights
Wet'suwet'en Raids: Canada Chooses Colonialism
UPDATE: Unist'ot'en Matriarchs arrested on Monday, February 10th. From a statement released by the Unist'ot'en Camp: "Unist'ot'en Matriarchs Feda Huson (Chief Howihkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), and Dr. Karla Tait have been forcibly removed off our territories and arrested. Our matriarchs were arrested while holding a ceremony to call on our ancestors and to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We, the Unis'ot'en, know that violence on our lands and violence on our women are connected. During ceremony, we hung red dresses to remember the spirits of the murdered women, girls and two spirit people taken from us." Click here to read the full statement.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Call and email Canadian government officials:
Premier John Horgan: 250-387-1715 premier@gov.bc.ca
Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources: 250-943-0900 / EMPR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development: 250-387-6240 / FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Mike Farnworth, Public Safety: 250-356-2178 / PSSG.Minister@gov.bc.ca
David Eby, Attorney General: 250-387-1866 / AG.minister@gov.bc.ca
Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: 250-953-4844 / IRR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
script from Leadnow, adapted based on Monday, Feb 10th events:
I'm calling to ask that your government uphold your commitment to the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and respect Wet'suwet'en Law by withdrawing the RCMP from Wet'suwet'en Nation and canceling Coastal GasLink's permits.
I am horrified that your government has allowed heavily-armed RCMP officers to forcibly remove Wet'suwet'en people from their own territory, and ask that you stop this shameful action.
All five Clans of the Wet'suwet'en have rejected all pipelines. Coastal GasLink's proposed pipeline does not have free, prior, and informed consent from the Wet'suwet'en. Coastal GasLink and the RCMP are trespassing on sovereign Wet'suwet'en land.
Click here to support the Unis'ot'en Camp Legal Fund.
Click here to view the Wet'suwet'en Supporter Toolkit 2020
Help us spread the word!
Missing and Murdered Indigneous Women Washington
Blanket Project
Click here to support MMIWW Blanket Project.
You can also support this project by sharing with friends and family. Click here for a pdf of flyer. Please post and distribute in your neighborhoods and communities!
"Traditionally, Native Americans gift giving in a sacred manner has always been a part of our culture. Giving and receiving a blanket is one of the highest forms of respect in honoring someone. MMIWW would like to give away blankets with our logo on to survivors, families and community members.
"Helping to bless others by giving and honoring, will be a blessing for you, your families and your organizations."
-Earth-Feather Sovereign, Director/Founder, MMIWW
Netse Mot Day
March 23, 2020
North Steps of the State Capitol
Olympia, WA
Save the date! Join with Tribes, First Nations, faith organizations, non-profit groups, activists, elders, youth and concerned individuals gather to show that we are all Netse Mot, or "one heart and one mind," for Xw'ullemy (the Salish Sea). We will show our elected officials that we support Indigenous leadership, and request that Washington State adopt the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Click here to find out more: https://sacredsea.org/