Canada: Brandi Morin, Known for Indigenous Coverage, Yet Again Threatened with Arrest at Pipeline Protest
Award-winning reporter has endured numerous violations of press freedom during her career, including this August when Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers physically threatened her.
Location: Canada, British Columbia
Date: December 10, 2023
Renowned journalist Brandi Morin, well known for her coverage of indigenous stories in Canada, faced threats from the security of a pipeline while documenting a demonstration. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom commends Morin and her colleagues for their continued dedication to covering under-reported issues affecting indigenous communities despite the risks and intimidation they face. We urge Trans Mountain Corp security personnel to respect the right of the press to report, and cease threatening journalists with arrest.
“This work isn’t glamorous, but we love it. We do it because we love it. I do it because I’m called to it,” explains the award-winning journalist as she recounts issues she and her colleagues encountered while covering a demonstration against the Trans Mountain (TMX) pipeline.
On December 10, 2023, Brandi Morin and her colleagues, embedded with activists, were confronted by security personnel at the TMX pipeline near Pipsell (Jacko Lake) in British Columbia. Despite identifying themselves as journalists and invoking case law safeguarding their right to report on matters of public interest, they were unjustly threatened with arrest. The incident occurred as the journalists covered a protest against the TMX pipeline expansion in Secwepemc's sacred territory.
The Trans Mountain Corp. recently resumed construction near Pipsell after receiving approval to change the pipeline's route from the Canada Energy Regulator. The Secwepemc Nation views this as a continuation of cultural genocide, as the site holds spiritual and cultural significance in their history and identity. Pipsell is considered equivalent to the Vatican or Notre Dame for the Secwepemc people.
During the protest, activists performed a symbolic act by descending into a boring hole, sprinkling tobacco, a ceremonial medicine, into the underground pipeline hole. This act holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Secwepemc people, reflecting their connection to the land and their resistance against the pipeline project. Two activists chained themselves to the structure in an attempt to impede construction. Police later arrived at the scene, but no protestors were arrested.
Morin, a distinguished multimedia journalist of Cree/Iroquois/French heritage from Treaty 6 territory in Alberta, has received numerous accolades for her decade-long career reporting on indigenous oppression in North America. In 2022, she received two National Native American Journalism awards, and in 2023, she was honored with PEN Canada's Ken Filkow award for advancing freedom of expression in Canada. Her diligent reporting has frequently led to confrontations with police, the journalist has faced numerous press violations in pursuit of her work. In August 2023, Morin was grabbed and threatened by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers while covering a police raid at Fairy Creek
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Brandi Morin and her colleagues for their dedication to reporting on Canada’s indigenous communities. We denounce the attempts by the TMX pipeline security guards to intimidate and obstruct Morin from reporting. Such actions undermine the principles of press freedom and hinder the media's crucial role in bringing attention to critical issues. We urge security and police to bear in mind their responsibilities when encountering press covering protests and call on them to respect journalists’ right to document issues in the public’s interest.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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