In the late summer of 1995 in British Columbia the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) laid siege to a small group of native sovereigntists in the biggest RCMP operation in Canadian history, which has since become known as the "Gustafsen Lake Crisis." It ended in a year-long criminal trial and conviction of 13 people. An elder, Wolverine, received the longest sentence of eight years, and remains incarcerated as a prisoner of war along with James "OJ" Pitawanakwat.
This video hour long video introduces the viewer to the main issues and background behind the standoff, and some of the key participants. It includes interviews with native rights lawyer Dr. Bruce Clark, Free the Wolverine Campaign spokespersons Dacajewiah (Splitting the Sky/ John Hill) and Bill Lightbown, Flo Sampson, and POW Wolverine.
This video also includes RCMP surveillance footage taken during the standoff which exposes the RCMP propaganda and lies about several incidents that it attempted to use to justify murdering Ts'peten (Gustafsen Lake) defenders.
This video ultimately exposes the ongoing colonialism in Canada towards the Native peoples and is an excellent organising tool for activists fighting for Indigenous sovereignty.
Profits from the sales of this video go to the Free the Wolverine Campaign, and the Producer/ Director Mervyn Brown who will soon be completing Above the Law part 2 which will detail the criminal trial and further expose RCMP propaganda about the standoff.
Free Ts'peten defenders Wolverine and OJ!
To order your copy, please send a $25 cheque if in Canada, or a $20 money order (or well hidden cash) if in the US made out to the "Montreal Anarchist Black Cross" and mail to:
Montreal Anarchist Black Cross
2035 St. Laurent, 2e etage
Montreal, QC, H2X 2T3 Canada
Telephone: (514)-844-3207
E-mail: james_dumaine@babylon.montreal.qc.ca
This 52 page booklet edited and published by the Montreal Anarchist Black Cross contains articles by Settlers in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty (SISIS), interviews with POW Wolverine, POW James "OJ" Pitawanakwat's statement to the court, and a detailed chronology of the standoff.
Profits from the sales go to the Free the Wolverine Campaign.
In the USA please send money orders, in Canada send cheques made out to "Montreal Anarchist Black Cross."
Prices for copies are as follows:
In Canada- 1-4 copies $6 each (postage included)
5-9 copies $5 each
10+ copies $4 each
In USA - 1-4 copies $5 each (postage included)
5-9 copies $4 each
10+ copies $3 each