Dear Community,
As we prepare for COP26 in Glasgow, we know governments must heed the call of diverse frontline and grassroots movements that are demanding we work urgently to build the resilient and just future we know is possible. Now more than ever we need governments to end their toxic relationship with fossil fuels and extractive industries, and instead make decisions that are in alignment with science, climate justice, and the 1.5 target of the Paris Climate Agreement. 

We are in a crucial moment, and WECAN will continue to mobilize and advocate ceaselessly for our communities and Mother Earth. Thank you for being in community with us at this time of both peril and promise. We stand together in solidarity!

Please explore our newsletter for ways to take action and for updates on our WECAN events, programming, and advocacy.
People vs. Fossil Fuels
Week of Action Updates
Indigenous water protectors and land defenders lead the first day of the People vs Fossil Fuels Week of Action in Washington D.C. on October 11. Photo Credit: Aishah Nyeta-Brown/WECAN International
Indigenous people, pipeline fighters, water protectors, young people, scientists, and faith leaders are saying enough is enough: it's time to finally place people over fossil fuels!

From October 11-15, 2021, thousands of people were in Washington D.C. to demand that President Biden hasten the end of the fossil fuel era. There were 655 people arrested in acts of civil disobedience, calling for President Biden to uphold his commitments to climate and environmental justice. This was the highest number of arrests during a coordinated action under the Biden Administration thus far.
Day 1 of the People vs Fossil Fuels Week of Action in Washington D.C. on October 11, Indigenous Peoples Day. WECAN joined hundreds outside the White House taking action to demand President Biden end the era of fossil fuels. Photo Credit: Aishah Nyeta-Brown/WECAN International
Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation) Environmental Ambassador , WECAN Board Member, speaks to the crowd as Indigenous leaders and allies risk arrest outside of the White House during the People vs Fossil Fuels Week of Action in Washington D.C.
Photo Credit: Aishah Nyeta-Brown/WECAN International



Frontline leaders and allies took action over the 5 days to highlight the damage done by fossil fuels, the climate impacts we are already facing, and the need for real solutions rooted in justice. Fossil fuel pollution and climate disasters are already disrupting millions of lives. From fires, to floods, to hurricanes like Ida, we are living in the midst of a climate emergency. We deserve a world beyond fossil fuels: a world in which workers’ rights, community health, and our shared climate come before corporate profits. That’s why in the lead up to COP26 in November, people from across the United States came together to ensure President Biden keeps his commitments and delivers urgent climate action, which includes shutting down fossil fuels. Stand in support by signing the petition below to call for Biden to choose people over fossil fuels.
Indigenous water protectors and land defenders lead a march through the streets of Washington D.C. during the People vs Fossil Fuels Week of Action. Photo Credit: Aishah Nyeta-Brown/WECAN International
Stop Line 3 Campaign Updates
An Indigenous Water Protector at the Stop Line 3 petition delivery and action outside of the Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington D.C. during the People vs Fossil Fuels week of action.
Photo Credit: Aishah Nyeta-Brown/WECAN International
During the People vs Fossil Fuels week of action, WECAN had the honor to co-organize an action with Honor the Earth and Seventh Generation at the Army Corps of Engineers to Stop Line 3 in Minnesota.

The Indigenous-led action included delivering over 1 million petitions demanding the Biden Administration stop the Line 3 tar sands pipeline in Minnesota and conduct a full environmental review. Watch the petition delivery here!

Following the petition delivery, Indigenous leaders Ron Turney (White Earth Nation) Indigenous Environmental Network, and Sasha Beaulieu (Red Lake) Red Lake Treaty Camp Founder and Red Lake Cultural Monitor, have continued to meet with the Army Corps of Engineers to present the evidence of ongoing destruction of aquifers and rivers from Line 3 construction and demand a full and immediate Environmental Impact Statement. WECAN has been honored to support in organizing these meetings, and we will continue to stay in this fight. WECAN is also continuing to support the Indigenous-led effort for justice and accountability for human rights violations at Line 3.
Activists and allies stand in solidarity with Indigenous leaders who delivered the petitions and called for action to stop Line 3 during the petition delivery and action held during the People vs Fossil Fuels week of Action. Photo Credit: Aishah Nyeta-Brown/WECAN International
Representatives from the Army Corp of Engineers received the 1 million petitions in person during the Stop Line 3 petition delivery and action held during the People vs Fossil Fuels week of action. Photo Credit: Aishah Nyeta-Brown/WECAN International
Please follow, donate, and support frontline Indigenous Water Protectors at the links below:
October 26
WECAN to Deliver Call to Action at
High Level UN General Assembly Presidential Event
in the lead-up to COP26
During the ‘Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Solutions from the Frontlines and the Protection and Defense of Human Rights and Nature’ this September, WECAN delivered a collective Call to Action to governments and financial institutions worldwide, signed by 150 organizations, representing millions of people globally. Please be welcome to read the statement here.

On October 26th, we are honored that Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director has been invited to share the Call to Action Statement at a one-day High-level Thematic Debate entitled “Delivering Climate Action: for People, Planet & Prosperity” on Tuesday, 26 October 2021, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event is designed to be a final hard push for governments to take bold action at COP26.

The Call to Action outlines necessary steps and actions for governments and financial institutions to take for creating their climate policies and programs that align with climate justice and the 1.5 target of the Paris Climate Agreement. We are honored to be a member of civil society in this space and to demand urgent climate action now!

In addition to the Call to Action, WECAN also released a list of recommended frameworks and initiatives for governments and institutions that have been developed by peoples movements over many years and are in alignment with an equitable path forward.
Wet'suwet'en Call for Divestment of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline
We stand with the Wet’suwet'en! Join us!

Gidimt’en Checkpoint and over 100 organizations, including WECAN, are demanding all investors of Coastal GasLink and LNG Canada stop financing the destructive project violating Wet’suwet’en Sovereignty. This week, Gidimt’en Checkpoint issued a formal letter demanding all investors of Coastal Gaslink and LNG Canada cease and withdraw all financing for the destructive project. Read the full letter here: https://www.yintahaccess.com/

Right now, Coastal GasLink is trying to tunnel under Wet’suwet’en sacred headwaters of Wedzin Kwa, putting culturally and ecologically sensitive sites at risk. The proposed pipeline would transport up to 2.1 billion cubic feet of fracked gas every day to the proposed LNG Canada terminal, the biggest ever proposed in Canada. The projects are already facing financing troubles, with costs ballooning as the project faces delay after delay. If investor money dries up and banks back out — Coastal GasLink and LNG Canada could be left without a financial lifeline. Support and take action here: https://www.yintahaccess.com/take-action-1

#WetsuwetenStrong #AllOutForWedzinKwa
Take Action for the Tongass
Ensure Protections for the Roadless Rule
and Old-growth Forests
On July 15, 2021, the Biden Administration’s USDA announced it will restore full Roadless Rule protections, and end large-scale old growth timber sales across the entire 16 million acres of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. The announcement comes after many years of advocacy by tribal leadership, and local and national groups, including WECAN.

The U.S. Forest Service will soon announce a 60-day public comment period on the decision to reestablish 2001 Roadless Rule protections on the Tongass National Forest. We need to show up in full force to ensure that these protections remain and the forest stays standing!

The comment period could open any day now, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to stay up to date and take action once the comment period opens.

We are continuing various advocacy strategies, and the WECAN Indigenous Women’s Tongass Delegation will be meeting with the US Forest Service and Department of Agriculture this week with the leadership of Wanda Culp (Tlingit), WECAN Tongass Coordinator.

For more information on the Tongass, forest protection, and Indigenous rights, see our website here.
Join Us: October 29
Global Day of Action to Defund Climate Chaos!
On Friday, October 29, please join the upcoming Global Day of Action to Defund Climate Chaos!

Big banks are accelerating the climate crisis by financing fossil fuels—and they must be stopped. During October 29th, young people are leading actions and shutting down banks across the globe to demand an end to fossil fuel expansion. Find more details here: fossilfreefuture.earth


Support the youth and join us in San Francisco or globally to demand an end to fossil fuels!
Event: October 26, 11am ET
Invest-Divest 2021: A Decade of Progress
Towards a Just Climate Future
The movement to divest pension funds, universities and colleges, faith organizations and foundations from fossil fuels, and invest in climate solutions, has reached new heights in the fight for meaningful, ambitious climate action. 

In the lead up to COP26, join a global coalition of organizations to announce a historic slate of groundbreaking commitments, unveil a new “state of the D/I movement” report, including an update of assets under management committed to divestment, and celebrate major victories. Join us on Tuesday October 26th at 11am ET. 

Media Round Up
Please stay tuned as we continue to uplift the leadership and solutions of women worldwide fighting for climate justice and the defense of the planet for current and future generations.
For the Earth and All Generations,

Women's Earth and Climate Action Network
(WECAN) International Team
S T A Y C O N N E C T E D