Today’s walk in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs is one of many like it taking place across Canada this week. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Keaton Brown

showing solidarity

Protestors walk through North Battleford in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs

Feb 13, 2020 | 3:22 PM

As demonstrations in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation hereditary chiefs are taking place across Canada, local organizers have rallied together for a walk through downtown North Battleford to show their support.

The Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs are protesting the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that runs through their land in northern British Columbia.

Starting at 1 p.m. this afternoon, protestors met at JD’s Skate Shop at 1572 100^th Street and walked North to the parking lot across from the local MP constituency office.

Lynal Ernest, an activist for First Nation’s rights and treaties, said speeches and activities were planned for the day.

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“We will have some speeches there, and we will be having a round dance as well,” he said. “What we are doing today is bringing in all the different things that have to do with treaties, and oppression such as honouring Treaty 6 territory, climate action and support of the Wet’suwet’en.”

While today’s protest is in support of the Wet’suwet’en, he noted it’s also important to highlight other Indigenous issues.

“We are also highlighting systematic and institutionalized racism. We want to mention and honour the Boushie family today as well as Ashley Morin and other missing and murdered indigenous women,” he said. “Right now is a good opportunity as people are rising all across Canada on these issues… what is going on with the Wet’suwet’en kind of triggered it. It is a great opportunity for us to rise as a people and bring up our issues of oppression that has been affecting us in so many ways,” he said.

Today’s walk in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs is one of many like it taking place across Canada this week.

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Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow