First Nation leaders delivering message to Ontario - Respect the Moratoriums, Stop the Drilling!
NAN press release ...
Aboriginal Leaders to McGuinty: Don't create another Ipperwash Incident – Respect the Moratoriums, Stop the Drilling!
Media Advisory:
Press conference 10 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2008.
Queen's Park media studio.
Speakers include:
- KI Chief Donny Morris
- KI Spokesperson Sam McKay
- KI Councilor Susan Nanokeesic
- Ardoch Chief Robert Lovelace
- Ardoch Councilor Jack Lapointe
- NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy
On Friday January 11, 2008 leaders from Kitchenumaykoosib Inninewug (KI), Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be holding a press conference in the Queens Park media studio at 10:00 a.m.
Both communities are working to protect their traditional lands from proposed mineral exploration that has been authorized by Ontario without their consent. Both communities are now facing contempt of court charges arising from injunctions, with the leaders and supporters of both communities facing jail and the seizure of community and individual assets.
The message that they bring from their communities is clear: If the government of Ontario does not respect their moratoriums on mining activity, the communities have no choice but to take further action to protect their lands. Community leaders are willing to go to jail to stop destruction of their lands.
While the Province has recently taken action to resolve old grievances at Ipperwash, leaders of KI and Ardoch stress that the Province is creating new conflicts by pushing their communities' backs against the wall. It is critical that the McGuinty government take immediate action to respect the community moratoriums.
The leaders will be announcing a proposal to the Province to end the current conflicts and prevent future confrontations.
For more information please contact:
Robert Lovelace (613) 532-2166
Jack Lapointe (613) 449-6198
Sam McKay (807) 629-7266
Chris Reid (lawyer) (416) 666-2914
Jenna Young (807) 628-3953
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Aboriginal Leaders seek to defend Eastern Ontario from Uranium Contamination
Edited by Traci Lawson
Leaders from Kitchenumaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) are working to protect their traditional lands from proposed mineral exploration that has been authorized by Ontario without their consent. Both communities are now facing contempt of court charges arising from injunctions, with the leaders and supporters of both communities facing jail and the seizure of community and individual assets.
The message that they bring from their communities to the Premier Dalton's McGuinty's Liberal Ontario government is clear: If the government of Ontario does not respect their moratoriums on mining activity, the communities have no choice but to take further action to protect their lands. Community leaders are willing to go to jail to stop destruction of their lands.
While the Province has recently taken action to resolve old grievances at Ipperwash, leaders of KI and Ardoch stress that the Province is creating new conflicts by pushing their communities' backs against the wall. It is critical that the McGuinty government take immediate action to respect the community moratoriums.
The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) reports that The uranium exploration company has dug a trench at the front of the property (running along just behind the fence line,) that is approximately 3 feet wide and 8 feet deep. This activity has cause great concern for the protesters and there are questions being raised. “Is the exploration company keeping with the spirit of the injunction?”, “Why would they dig a trench?” and “What are their intentions?”
Anti-Mining activist have contacted the OPP and they are currently looking into the matter. The lawyers for the First Nations, government and the exploration company have also been notified.