Episode 33- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada -

Our Truth Part Two - Sleydo’ and Jesse Cardinal

WHAT

This is part one of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders

across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices.

WHO

Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham) is the spokesperson for the Gidimt’en check-point

on Wet’suwet’en territory. She holds the name in Cas Yikh (grizzly house) and

has been living on and occupying the territory since 2014 with her children.

Gidimt’en check-point has been an Indigenous reoccupation site since 2018

which has been raided three times by militarized RCMP, once on January 7th

2019, on February 5th, 2020, and again on November 18th and 19th 2021, as

a result of grassroots resistance to the Coastal Gaslink pipeline project which

would bring fracked gas from northeastern B.C to an LNG terminal near

Kitimat. Sleydo’ has a masters degree in Indigenous Governance from the

University of Victoria and is heavily involved in the Wet’suwet’en clan

governance system.

Jesse Cardinal is the Executive Director of Keepers of the Water. In this role,

she has challenged the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous

organizations and created a more just environment for their work.

One of Jesse’s most significant achievements with Keepers of the Water is

the successful mobilization to protect the Athabasca River. Tar sands, one of

the largest industrial projects globally, generated enormous amounts of

hazardous waste that was proposed to be dumped into the river. Jesse, her

team, and other organizations presented scientific evidence and raised

international awareness about the potential catastrophic impacts on the

water, wildlife, and downstream communities. Their efforts prevented the

dumping.

MUSIC

Song: Sanctum

Composer: Scott Buckley

Website: https://youtube.com/user/musicbyscottb

License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free

Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 32- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada —

Our Truth Part one, Chief Na’Moks and Jesse Stoeppler

WHAT

This is part one of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders

across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices.

WHO

Chief Na’Moks is a Hereditary Chief of the Tsayu (Beaver Clan), one of the five

clans of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. The traditional name he carries is thousands

of years old and, as part of their matrilineal society, was also held by his

grandmother—who wore the very same regalia he wears today. The role of a

Hereditary Chief carries the sacred responsibility of protecting the 22,000 square

kilometers of Wet’suwet’en territory, a duty grounded in ancestral law that has

remained unchanged both before and after colonial contact.

As a vocal and respected leader, Chief Na’Moks has brought international

attention to the violations of Wet’suwet’en rights in the context of unconsented

resource development. He has spoken at the United Nations Headquarters in

New York and Geneva, sharing his people’s message about the militarized role

the RCMP plays on their territory. Since 2019, he has appeared in nearly 100

media interviews, both print and broadcast, denouncing what he describes as a

campaign of state-backed harassment, surveillance, and discrimination.

Jesse Stoeppler proudly calls the Skeena Watershed home. After completing a

degree in Europe he returned to start a family and raise two future leaders

amongst the peaks of the beautiful Bulkley Valley. Mentored by Hereditary Chief

and Matriarch Yaga’lahl (Dora B. Wilson) he embraces Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en

culture and has been actively participating in title & rights and Clan governance

as a member of Wilp Spookwx (Lax Gibuu / Gitumden). As a Project Manager for

a multi-million trust fund, Jesse was able to lead the way in establishing

comprehensive community planning, land use management and create his

community's Indigenous economic development.

MUSIC

Song: Signal To Noise

Composer: Scott Buckley

Website: https://youtube.com/user/musicbyscottb

License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free

Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 31 - Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine Mandamin Baa, with Waasekom Niin

WHAT

Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine

Mandamin Baa

WHO

Waasekom Niin is Turtle Clan Anishinaabe from Saugeen First Nation and

the Kettle & Stoney Point First Nations on the southeastern shores of Lake

Huron.

He is an avid paddler, having led 4 ceremonial canoe journeys throughout

the Great Lakes to raise awareness about Water, Climate Change, and

Indigenous sovereign responsibilities. His journey began in response to the

Waterwalks, where he has been a protector and Eagle Staff carrier on 7

Walks.

Waasekom is known for starting Picking Up the Bundles Canoe Journey,

Niwiijiiwok Doodemak (Gathering of Clans), the Great Lakes Petition,

Gganoonigonaa Zaagigan (The Lake is Speaking to Us), and most recently

the Elegy of Ancestors.

MUSIC

Song: The Epic Hero

Composer: Keys Of Moon

Website: https://www.youtube.com/c/keysofmoonmusic

License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https://

creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com