From the Ts'Peten Defence Committee Facebook page
Today, Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016 our Secwepemc War Hero and Elder Wolverine William Jones Ignace passed on to the Spirit World at his home in Secwepemc Territory. Wolverine earned his Battle Honours at Ts'Peten, Gustafsen Lake Siege in 1995, were he and other Warriors successfully survived a military attack launched by the Canadian government, in defence of his unsurrendered Secwepemc Lands. He leaves with us a great legacy of Indigenous Resistance, Struggle and Victory. He is widely respected and loved, not only by his family, community and Secwepemc Nation, but throughout the World as well. Wolverine lit the fires of Freedom in the hearts and spirits of countless Peoples fighting for Indigenous Lives, Lands and Rights. Wolverine will be greatly missed by Indigenous Warriors on the frontlines from Alaska to South America.
Wolverine sincerely expressed a deep will for the Peoples to continue the important and crucial work in fighting for our unceded Secwepemc Territory, including the demand for a National Inquiry into the siege at Gustafsen Lake. As well as, to carry on his Nourish the Nation Garden, to feed the frontlines.
Tuesday, March 29 2016 @ Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society Secwepemc Elder William Jones “Wolverine” Ignace, who gained international recognition after the 1995 Gustafsen Lake standoff, died March 22 surrounded by family on his home territory.
In her first public appearance as Federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada,
Jody Wilson-Raybould, Kwakwaka’wakw, publicly spoke to the letter I
sent on January 4th, 2016 to both her and the Prime Minister of Canada Justin
Trudeau calling for a National Inquiry into the Ts’Peten/Gustafsen Lake
Standoff 1995. She was asked three times by three women, to take
action, to call this Inquiry and to address the ongoing genocide that is
taking place on our Territories. Her response, as the Federal Minister
of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was disrespectful and dismissive. You all need a history lesson. Here it is.
The following is an open letter for all of you Canadians
out there. My name is Wolverine. I am an 83 year old father,
grandfather, great grandfather and Secwepemc Elder. I am a long time
defender of the inherent jurisdiction and responsibility of Indigenous
Peoples to steward our Homelands, which have never been purchased or
surrendered to Canada, Britain or any other entity. Read more here.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/tspeten-defence-committee/wolverine-speaks-tspetengustafsen-lake-inquiry-genocide-and-unceded-territories/199784667042791
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| http://www.gustafsenlakeinquiry.ca/multimedia/ |
"The brutal force that was leveled against the defenders, some of which were 14, 15, and 16 years old, [and] young pregnant women, is utterly abhorrent," said Anushka Azadi, a spokesperson for the committee.
Wolverine, now 82, was too sick to provide comment to CBC News, but Azadi spoke on his behalf, saying he wants the following to come out of an inquiry:
"A conversation specifically about his jail time, and why they were persecuted for crimes when what they were doing was enacting their own tribal, traditional laws. Additionally he says he wants the RCMP officially charged for treason.
"Lastly, maybe the most important thing … is a settlement of the land question, that is the question of unceded and unsurrendered territory."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lead-protester-at-gustafsen-lake-armed-standoff-renews-calls-for-a-national-inquiry-1.3407876
Related Links
https://www.facebook.com/tspeten/posts/213645502323374
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2016/01/wolverines-open-letter-time-for-truth.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lead-protester-at-gustafsen-lake-armed-standoff-renews-calls-for-a-national-inquiry-1.3407876
http://www.gustafsenlakeinquiry.ca/
This is for you Wolverine!
Sending LOVE AND LIGHT!!
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/davidbowie/heroes.html
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns shot above our heads
(over our heads)
And we kissed,
as though nothing could fall
(nothing could fall)
And the shame was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be Heroes,
just for one day
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
Just for one day
We can be Heroes
