KI First Nation leaders travel to disputed lands for traditional activities
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug leaders left for the site of the exploratory drilling on Saturday to begin a series of traditional practices. The picture below shows community elders gathering and praying for the community leaders as they begin their efforts to develop their traditional territories according to their traditional laws. Click here for additional pictures.
The chief and community members are now being forced into a land-based confrontation with Ontario government officials, courts and a mining company who are set on taking and destroying whatever they want irregardless of treaties and traditional laws.
Several years ago, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug along with other remote First Nations in the region created the "no mining activity" law in consultation with their community members. According to the Ontario government and their courts who protect the wealthy, any mining company is free to "explore" anywhere without any concern for First Nation traditional lands and laws. The Ontario government courts continue to simply enforce their government's colonial policies.
On Thursday, Oct 25, an Ontario "justice" member located in Thunder Bay ruled that the mining company can drill on KI traditional territories. To further create confrontations with the community, the "justice" system ruled that KI members had to work with this company and that they must provide the company with their traditional knowledge of their territory.
The Ontario Provincial Police that works for the government is reported to be mobilizing to begin their work of protecting these foreign mining interests and their courts against the people of KI.
The lack of respect for First Nation people, their lands and their laws continues to be exploited by those who have the financial resources and power to do whatever they wish.
Now the struggle to protect Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug traditional lands is once again being moved back to their home territories.