On November 15, the Wolastoq Grand Council held an action in Fredericton to show solidarity with Indigenous people and allies resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in North Dakota. Over 400 people have been arrested since last April, while blocking the pipeline’s proposed route. Concerns include inevitable pipeline leaks, which would contaminate water that Standing Rock Sioux and others depend on, and that the pipeline route crosses Standing Rock Sioux sacred sites.
As part of the Fredericton action, people gathered at City Hall, for an opening address from Wolastoq Grand Chief, Ron Tremblay, then proceeded to march to banks that have invested hundreds of millions in the DAPL. The banks include: Bank of Nova Scotia, TD Bank and HSBC. The event was part of an effort to pressure the banks to divest from the DAPL.