Inuit from coast to coast to coast have been watching Wet’suwet’en and their resistance movement against Coastal Gaslink’s pipeline that would destroy their traditional territories¹. We have watched as the RCMP violently invaded their unceded lands². We have witnessed the militarized violence enforced and encouraged by all levels of settler governments³.

We are standing together, as Inuit, in unequivocal solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders.

We understand as Indigenous peoples what it is like to be impacted by colonialism. Like our First Nations and Métis cousins, and indeed Indigenous peoples worldwide, we too have been hurt by the violence of resource extraction. From Muskrat Falls⁴ to Clyde River⁵ and all across Inuit Nunangat: we understand deeply the wounds that industry can bring. Whether it’s pipelines, seismic testing, or large-scale hydro dams, the impacts of these dangerous resource projects are far too great⁶. Not only do they threaten our lands and waters, they threaten our sovereignty⁷. Wet’suwet’en is currently facing violent occupation⁸ from the RCMP⁹,  whose long-standing¹⁰ anti-Indigenous¹¹ history¹² is well documented¹³ - including atrocities perpetrated against Inuit¹⁴ (both historically¹⁵ and in more recent years¹⁶).

This is why we are standing with the people of Wet’suwet’en: because we’ve been there too.

We are calling on Inuit governments and organizations across Inuit Nunangat and beyond to lend their voices in the growing solidarity movement. So far we have seen statements of support from Nunavut Tunngavik¹⁷, but we call on all other Inuit governments and organizations to join us in standing with Wet’suwet’en.

As Inuit, we are declaring our support for the land defenders of Wet’suwet’en, and all of the Indigenous peoples rising up from coast to coast to coast in solidarity. We assert and affirm our support, now and in future struggles. Solidarity between different Indigenous peoples is vital in this climate of growing anti-Indigenous animosity, racism, and hate. We call on the provincial and federal governments of Canada to meet with the Hereditary Chiefs in a true nation-to-nation fashion. We call on Coastal Gaslink to cease all work and withdraw from Wet’suwet’en Yintah. We condemn the violence, the arrests, the exclusion zones, and the broad actions of the RCMP and call on the RCMP to withdraw from Wet’suwet’en Yintah. And finally, we call upon our Inuit governments and organizations to issue their own statements of support for the land defenders of Wet’suwet’en, the Hereditary Chiefs, the strong Indigenous youth, and all others standing in solidarity.

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If you are Inuk, please sign by filling out the form below. Feel free to include your community, or affiliation if you wish. Names will be added manually as they come in.

Last updated: 15/03/2020 20:00 AST

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With love and solidarity,

Amy Norman, Nunatsiavut
Maia Kaŋuq Mott, Iñupiaq
Kevin Sooley, NunatuKavut
Brye Robertson, Inuvialuit
Aqqalu Berthelsen, Nuuk
Alaku Ann Meeko, Nunavik
Amy Hull
Amy House
Levi Kleist
Jennelle Doyle, NunatuKavut
Rebecca Watts, Nunatsiavut
Avianna, Nunavut
Johnny Kasudluak, Inukjuak, Nunavik
Leanne Inuarak-Dall
Paige Kimiksana Kreps, Inuvialuit
Nikita Larter, Inuvialuit
Janice Grey, Nunavik
Bryanna R. Brown, Nunatsiavut
Glenn Walsh, NunatuKavut
Jesse Saunders, Nunatsiavut
Victor Ryan, NunatuKavut
Tuniq Ningiuruvik, Quartaq, Nunavik
Paneeraq Heilmann, Kalaallit Nunaat
Jolene Thrasher, Inuvialuit
Denise Cole, Inuk Two Spirit, Labrador
Trudy Utatnaq , Kivalliq
Madonna Evoy, Nunatsiavut
J.H., Inuvialuit
Jenna Broomfield, Nunatsiavut/Labrador
Neevie Simigak, Kangirsuk, Nunavik
Verna Kanatsiak, Igloolik, Nunavut
Theresa Etok , Puvirnituq, Nunavik
Tom Mcleod , Inuvialuit
Katauyak Everard, Rankin Inlet
Saali Kuata, Kuujjuaq
Napatsie Lucassie, Nunavut
Kiana Foster, Nunavut
Brianna Kirby, Inuvialuit
Skylar Storr, Aklavik
Gideon M
Charlie Flowers, Nunatsiavut
Matthew "Napaaqtuq" Sanchez, Utqiaġvik, Alaska - Native Village of Barrow
Kablusiak, Inuvialuit
Katelynne Herchak, Nunavik & Nunavut
Jessica Penney, Nunatsiavut
Tracey Doherty, Nunatsiavut
Seqininnguaq Poulsen, Kalaallit Nunaat
Rachel Lidstone, Iqaluit
Pauyungie Nutaraaluk, Inukjuak, Nunavik
Jen Vivian
Peggy Blake, Nunatsiavut
Megan Broomfield, Nunatsiavut
Donna May Kimmaliardjuk
Geeteeta, IQ, Nunavut
Peter Lyberth, Nuuk
Nauya Vidahl, Nunavik, Kangirsjusuaq
Liz Forsey
Christine Qillasiq Lussier, Kuujjuaraapik
Leah Ayaruaq, Nunavut Inuk residing on unceded Algonquin, Anishinabek Territory
Megan D Nochasak, Nunatsiavut
Joanna Avva Qavavau , Iqaluit, Nunavut
Evelyn Angoo, Nunavut
Shirley Flowers, Nunatsiavut
Emily Winters
Perry Nakashook, Iqaluktuutiak, Nunavut
Kai Sheppard, Nunatsiavut
Pooka Tootoo, Rankin Inlet, NU
Edvard Skade, Nuuk, Greenland
Aviaq J, Nunavut
Chantal Jung, Nunatsiavut
Mary Dunphy, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Bryan Winters, Nunatsiavut
Michayle Hay
Maja Haogak, Inuvialuit
Tiffany Larter, Inuvialuit
Alexia Galloway-Alainga, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Rachel Watts , Nunatsiavut
Rachel Taylor, Iñupiaq in Vancouver
Angunayuak Inuvialuit
Nathalia Okalik, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Rebecca Taylor, Iñupiaq
Paninnguaq Heilmann,Kalaallit Nunaat
Robin Pottle
Taatsi Højgaard, Nuuk
agnauraq kuhmunen, iñupiaq
Pamela Painchaud, Nunavut
Erin Perkison, Baker Lake Nunavut
Lester Amarook, Baker Lake, Nunavut
Samantha Killiktee, Grise Fiord
Stephanie Kusa'naaq MacLaren, Baker Lake
Peter Autut Kunuk, Nunavut, Can.
Yasmine Bournissa, Nunavik
Shirley Anguttitauruq, Gjoa-Heaven
Caroline Robinson, Ikaluktutiak, Nunavut
Erika Jone, Aleut from Naknek, AK
Jason Sikoak, Nunatsiavut
Yolanda Bird
Violet Kimiksana, Inuvialuit
Ocean Machmer, Iqaluit, NU
Alisha Tukkiapik, Kuujjuaraapik, Quebec
Arsaniq Deer, Quartaq, Nunavik
Skye Corey, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
Doris Ipeelee, Iqaluit, Inuk
Teresa Palliser, Off-Territory Nunatsiavut, Halifax, NS
Sherry Blake, Nunatsiavut
Robert Johnston, Nunatsiavut
Jukipa Kotierk, Igloolik, Nunavut
Asinnajaq, Inukjuak, Nunavik
Jeanien Bell NunatuKavut
Panigaq McDonald, Inuvik
Sasha Oyukuluk, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Kayla Lauzon, Kuujjuaq, Nunavik
Stacey Aglok, Kugluktuk/Iqaluit
ulipika
Cookie Lethbridge, NunatuKavut
Ujarak Appadoo, Arviat, Nunavut
Colleen Sanguya, Clyde River, NU
Debbie Kappianaq, Igloolik, Nunavut
Christian Kappianaq, Igloolik, Nunavut
Asyadi Logan, Inupiaq
Tuniq Makiuk, Rivière-Beaudette/Kuujjuaq
Roxanne Simms
Daniel
Ovana Micheline Sivuarapik, Inukjuak, Nunavik
Charlie Hess, Inuit, Denmark
Julie Singoorie Pond Inlet, Nunavut
Frans H. Petersen, Kalaallit Nunaat
Angelica Vincent, Nunatsiavut
Thomas Simiunie, Kangirsuk, Nunavik
Ingrid Ekomiak, Nunavik
Sasha Ekomiak, Chisasibi, Quebec
Eleina Lucas
James Hall
Laurel Katchatag, Iñupiaq, Nome, Alaska
Joshua komangapik, Qikiqtani
Aasiva Nakashuk, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Angus Hiqiniq
Charlene Sammurtok, Ottawa/Chesterfield Inlet, NU
Jakob Petersen Heilmann, Maniitsoq, Greenland
Maata Putugu, Puvirnituq qc
Siku Rojas Iqaluit, Nunavut
Jason Natturalik Etok
Erin Saunders, Nunatsiavut
Joey Amos, Inuvialuit
Aurora Williams-Broomfield, Nunatsiavut
Jessica Mitchell, Yellowknife, NT
Bryanna  Brown, Nunatsiavut
Brenda Shaimaiyuk, Iqaluit
Alyson Hardwick, Toronto, Ontario
Patricia Voisey, currently outside land claims area-Nunatsiavut, Summerside PEI
Patricia Johnson-Castle, Nunatsiavut
Mikka, Nunavut
Angerlannguaq Søholm Larsen, Aasiaat
Alice Møller-Sørensen

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Inspired by the Métis Statement of Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders, which can be viewed here: https://apihtawikosisan.com/2020/02/metis-statement-of-solidarity-with-wetsuweten-land-defenders/

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Sources:
1. http://unistoten.camp/no-pipelines/background-of-the-campaign/
2. https://aptnnews.ca/2020/02/06/rcmp-move-in-on-wetsuweten-territory-in-early-morning-raid/
3. https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2019/01/17/Indigenous-Rights-Canada-Militarized-Police/
4. https://theindependent.ca/2016/10/17/land-protectors-blockade-muskrat-falls/
5. https://newrepublic.com/article/151559/one-inuit-community-won-big-oil
6. https://www.pauktuutit.ca/social-and-economic-development/social-development/resource-extraction/
7. https://yellowheadinstitute.org/2020/02/07/why-are-indigenous-rights-being-defined-by-an-energy-corporation/
8. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/canada-police-clearing-wet-land-defender-camps-200206201913348.html
9. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qjdjaq/police-raid-indigenous-land-to-help-build-a-pipeline
10. https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Final_Report_Vol_1a-1.pdf
11. https://globalnews.ca/news/5381480/rcmp-indigenous-relationship/
12. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/20/canada-indigenous-land-defenders-police-documents
13. http://theconversation.com/raid-of-wetsuweten-part-of-canadas-ongoing-police-violence-against-indigenous-peoples-131118
14. https://www.qtcommission.ca/sites/default/files/public/thematic_reports/thematic_reports_english_rcmp_sled_dog.pdf
15. https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/65674inuit_org_wants_rcmp_to_acknowledge_historical_wrongdoings/
16. https://theindependent.ca/2017/05/20/cop-behind-violent-muskrat-falls-arrest-named-officer-of-the-year/
17. https://www.tunngavik.com/news/nti-stands-in-solidarity-with-the-wetsuweten/