An event held in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en pipeline protests being held in British Columbia drew dozens of Juneauites to Auke Bay Recreation Area Sunday. (Courtesy Photo | Sigoop Price)

An event held in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en pipeline protests being held in British Columbia drew dozens of Juneauites to Auke Bay Recreation Area Sunday. (Courtesy Photo | Sigoop Price)

Juneau activists stand with Canadian protesters

Solidarity for indigenous rights.

Dozens of Juneauites stood in solidarity with indigenous opposition to a Canadian pipeline project.

At at Sunday event at Auke Bay Recreation Area, about 50 people gathered to show support for ongoing protests against the Wet’suwet’en pipeline. The government-approved pipeline that would go through Wet’suwet’en territory in British Columbia faces opposition from Canada’s First Nation people and indigenous rights supporters in both the U.S. and Canada.

In Juneau, solidarity was shown through song, dance and signs, said one of the event’s organizers Naawéiyaa Austin Tagaban.

“We were just gathering because we feel like we’re in the same struggle, not the exact same struggle, but the struggles we have here in Alaska, are related to those struggles,” Tagaban said. “We are battling for the same sort of freedom.”

Plus, Tagaban said the Wet’suwet’en have a culture and proximity that resonates with his Tlingit identity.

“They are not that far away from us,” he said. “We are only separated by this colonial border. They are our relatives.”

• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Palmer project would sit in the watershed of the Chilkat River, pictured here. (Scott McMurren/Flickr under Creative Commons license 2.0)
Japanese smelting giant pulls out of major Southeast Alaska mining project

Palmer development, above the salmon-bearing Chilkat River, has for years fueled political divisions.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

A butter clam. Butter clams are found from the Aleutian Islands to the California coast. They are known to retain algal toxins longer than other species of shellfish. (Photo provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Among butter clams, which pose toxin dangers to Alaska harvesters, size matters, study indicates

Higher concentrations found in bigger specimens, UAS researchers find of clams on beaches near Juneau.

An aerial view of people standing near destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene flooding on Oct. 8, 2024 in Bat Cave, North Carolina. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Members of U.S. Senate back disaster aid request amid increasing storm severity

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration’s request for nearly $100 billion in natural… Continue reading

Media members and other observers gather at the Alaska Division of Elections office on Wednesday evening as the results of all ballots, including ranked choice tabulations, were announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ranked choice voting repeal fails by 0.2%, Begich defeats Peltola 51.3%-48.7% on final day of counting

Tally released Wednesday night remains unofficial until Nov. 30 certification.

Looking through the dining room and reception area to the front door. The table will be covered with holiday treats during the afternoon open house. The Stickley slide table, when several extensions are added, provides comfortable seating for 22 dinner guests. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The Governor’s House: Welcoming Alaskans for more than 100 years

Mansion has seen many updates to please occupants, but piano bought with first funds still playable.

Most Read