The song, which also features Boogey The Beat and Chippewa Travellers, is available as a free download via A Tribe Called Red’s Soundcloud page.
A Tribe Called Red members Bear Witness and 2oolman have a specific use in mind for the song.
"We oppose the invasion of sovereign Indigenous lands by the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] and the Coastal GasLink pipeline. We stand with the Wet’suwet’en people and their hereditary chiefs. We stand with all the people working to support their fight. We’ve made this song available to download for free, and free to be used for anyone working to defend the Wet’suwet’en territories and all actions that defend the right of Indigenous land sovereignty and to promote a true nation to nation discussion between the Indigenous nations of Turtle Island and our Canadian settlers. Until our Canadians are willing to treat the Indigenous nations of this land with the respect due, a sovereign people’s reconciliation will remain an empty gesture," said the band in a statement.
The Coastal Gaslink pipeline is a natural gas pipeline that is being constructed to send natural gas through the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia in order to eventually ship to Asian markets. The path of the pipeline goes through the traditional lands of a number of First Nations, including some which have never been ceded by treaty or other agreement. One of these unceded territories is the Unist'otʼen Camp the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation. It’s become a flashpoint in recent weeks as RCMP officials acting on behalf of the Costal Gaslink builders have removed blockades and barricades set up to disrupt construction. The actions of the RCMP have since caused numerous protest and counter blockades across Canada which have disrupted numerous national rail and commerce services.
A Tribe Called Red say it was the actions of artist Whess Harman which prompted them to make the support song available.
"It was the work of our good friend, Whess Harman, that inspired us to give the song away to the movement," they said. "Not only because of their work on the frontlines of resistance in Vancouver, but also because they are using their art for the movement. Whess designed the Land Back patch that is featured in our cover art, and has been selling them to raise money for the Unist'ot'en Camp Legal Fund.
A Tribe Called Red say they will also be donating to the legal fund.
Respected innovators in the world of electronic dance music, A Tribe Called Red have released three full-length albums which combine electronic beats with various Indigenous and traditional musical styles from around the world. One of ATCR’s recent campaigns has been to support and develop the "Halluci Nation," a community of like-minded artists and thinkers. The band have won multiple Juno Awards for their work.
Listen to A Tribe Called Red’s "Land Back"