Episode 35 - The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada

- Our Truth Part Four, Frances Mahon and Erin Riley-Oetll

WHAT

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

defenders across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal

injustices.

WHO

Frances Mahon is a fierce litigator. The core of her practice is defending

people against serious allegations in a variety of settings, including complex

criminal trials and appeals, police investigations, and constitutional

government overreach.

Frances provides legal services to individuals, families, non-profits,

companies, and other organizations. She has appeared in courts and tribunals

across the country, including frequent appearances at the Supreme Court of

Canada.

Erin Riley-Oettl currently serves as the Manager of Human Rights Law,

Campaigns, and Advocacy at Amnesty International Canada since August

2023.

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million

people who are committed to creating a future where human rights are

enjoyed by everyone.

No government is beyond scrutiny. Amnesty International uncovers the truth

and holds human rights violators to account.

MUSIC

Song: A Better Future

Composer: Miguel Johnson

Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCenTwNA8ioN37RD7bfNSUpA

License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free

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

Episode 34 - The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada

- Our Truth Part Two, Shay Lynn Sampson 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

Shaylynn Sampson is a Gitxsan woman from Wilp Spookxw of the Lax Gibuu

with Wet’suwet’en family ties and human rights defender.

She has participated in the Indigenous Youth for Wet’suwet’en and re-

occupation movements, and also in defence actions of the Wet’suwet’en land

from the negative effects of the construction of a gas pipeline in the territory.

She was also the Youth Engagement Coordinator for Indigenous Climate

Action, an organization of and for indigenous communities, with the aim

empowering indigenous activists in the defence of their sovereignty, land and

environment.

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: Resurgence

Composer: Ghostrifter Official

Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoRhkLdsX2OKwaEjwdZIQ8Q

License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free

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

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