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PRESS RELEASE From: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Ontario (see Letter below)

November 2, 2007

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is a small, remote, far northern Ontario First Nation being sued by Platinex Inc. junior mining exploration company for $10 billion.  The province issued licences and permits to Platinex Inc. for exploration and drilling without notifying or consulting with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.  It also gave the company special exemptions for required work on their mining claims.  The community told the mining company it was not welcome in their customary homelands.  Platinex sued Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.  The costs of the legal proceedings have bankrupted the community and they can no longer afford the Ontario justice system.  Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug have taken their only recourse and moved out onto their customary homelands from which they acquire their sustenance.   

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug has issued this statement in response to an Ontario court ordered notification schedule from Platinex. The schedule calls for commencement of activities November 2nd and continuing through July 2008 for Phase One of its drilling program in KI’s customary homelands.

“The Peoples of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug don’t want Platinex or their consultants in our community.  They are not welcome here.  They should also know that the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug are practicing their traditional activities on the site, in their customary homelands, at the present time.”

For further information contact:

Samuel McKay ,   (807) 537-2263
Bruce Sakakeep, Lands and Environment Director, (807) 537-2614

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November 2, 2007

Mr. James Trusler
Platinex Incorporated
11 Algonquin Crescent
Aurora, ON  LAG 3E4
(805) 727 9046   Fax (905) 727 4313

Dear Mr. Trusler:

Re:  Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Customary Homelands

This letter is being sent to you as a response to the activities you propose to conduct on our Nemeigusabins Lake Customary Homelands and specifically your timetable of events forwarded to us on November 1, 2007 by Neil J. Smitherman.

Be advised that even as we write this letter there are Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug persons on those Customary Lands carrying out their trapping, hunting and fishing activities.  Any other land use activity will be an absolute interference in their pursuit of their livelihood. They have however advised the Band Council to let you know that if  you proceed to the site anyway that you do so only with the accompaniment of an official delegate of the Province of Ontario.  

We will confirm to you again that the membership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug want no such activity other than the traditional customary practices to be permitted on these lands.

As for your proposed arrival in the community on November 6, 2007, please be advised that the membership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug are reaffirming that your admittance into the community IS NOT allowed and this has been demonstrated to you once before.  

In closing we must reiterate to you again as we have done so already that the presence of Platinex in either the Nemeigusabins Lake Customary Homelands or in the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug IS NOT SANCTIONED.  If you choose to proceed anyway the membership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug will consider this as an encroachment and your advance will be met with objection.  

We trust that you will take this matter seriously and reconsider the approaches you plan to take.   Thank-you. 

Yours truly,

Original Letter already forwarded to Mr James Trusler and signed by Councillors Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Leadership
 
Darryl Sainnawap
Evelyn Quequish
Cecelia Begg
Samuel Mckay
Enus Mckay 
 
And cc. to these people
 
- Christine Kaszycki - Assistant Deputy Minister
- Office of the Sheriff of the Distict of Kenora
- Phil Fontaine -National Chief
- Angus Toulouse - Regional Chief, COO
- Stan Beardy - Grand Chief, NAN
- Gerry Mckay - General Manager IFNA

Contact: Councillor Sam Mckay for more info