Members of the Wet’suwet’en nation fight for the sovereignty of their unceded territory in Yinah. The Wet’suwet’en hold 22,000 km² of unceded territory on the west coast of Turtle Island. The Wet’suwet’en have been fighting for over a decade against the efforts of the Canadian Government to build the Coastal Gaslink oil pipeline through their territory. Wet’suwet’en members such as Howilhkat Freda Huson and Sleydo’ Molly Wickham form blockades in an attempt to stop the pipeline workers and RCMP from invading their territory.
Yintah Synopsis
Yintah, meaning “land” in the Wet’suwet’en language, is a documentary directed by Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, and Michael Toledano. Shot over more than a decade, beginning in 2011, the film depicts the plight of the Wet’suwet’en Nation in British Columbia and their fight against the building of an oil pipeline on their unceded territory. This results in tense standoffs with the RCMP, which soon erupts into violence.
My Thoughts on Yintah
Yintah is a very intense documentary that heavily criticizes the Canadian government and exposes the hypocrisy of Canada seeking reconciliation with the First Nations while continuing to forcefully take their land for resources. Produced under ‘anuc niwh’it’ën (Wet’suwet’en law), the film allows the Wet’suwet’en Nation to tell their own story. As such, while an incredibly difficult film for Canadian settlers to watch, Yintah is still a very powerful look at the fight for First Nations sovereignty.
